The Department of Trade and Industry in Negros Oriental is calling on establishments to follow the price guide for school supplies to avoid possible sanctions and penalties.
Krystle Jade Bato, DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson, said on Thursday that they started distributing the price guide on Tuesday to the big establishments in this capital city before the opening of classes for the school year 2025-2026 on June 16.
“The price guide is based on the agreement made by the DTI and the manufacturers/distributors of school supplies under the Fair Trade Act to ensure there will be no overpricing of these items,” Bato said.
She added the price guide will allow consumers to determine and find stores selling school supplies at affordable prices.
The guide covers notebooks, writing pads, pencils, ball pens, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, and rulers, among other things.
The establishments that have received the price guide are Lee Super Plaza, Cang’s Department Store, Robinsons’ Mall, and Unitop.
The DTI will distribute the same to other stores in the coming days.
Bato said the DTI here will conduct an inspection next week before the opening of classes to determine whether school supplies are sold within the price range stipulated in the guide.
Violators of the price guide will be subject to investigation by the DTI central office and possible action, she added. (Judy F. Partlow)
