ILOILO City — Parents can expect stable prices and sufficient supplies of essential school items across Western Visayas, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reporting no signs of major price increases despite lingering economic concerns.
Classes in public elementary and high schools resume today.
The assurance follows a region-wide market monitoring conducted by DTI covering 41 major retail establishments in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo, which found that school supply prices remain within prescribed price guidelines while inventories are adequate to meet the expected surge in demand before classes resume.
According to the DTI, the findings indicate a healthy and stable market environment, ensuring that families will continue to have access to affordable learning materials during the back-to-school season.
The agency said fears of sudden price spikes are unfounded at present, noting that retailers maintain sufficient stocks of notebooks, writing materials, paper products, and other school essentials.
To further ease the financial burden on families, the DTI has intensified the rollout of its “Balik-Eskwela” Diskwento Caravan, bringing discounted school supplies to various provinces in the region.
In Antique, participating retailers are offering discounts ranging from 5 percent to 50 percent, while a two-day community caravan is scheduled in the island municipality of Caluya to provide residents direct access to affordable school supplies.
In Iloilo, 11 exhibitors have joined a back-to-school sale at the Lambunao Town Plaza, featuring bundled product packages aimed at helping families stretch their budgets.
Capiz has strengthened partnerships with major retailers under the government’s UPLIFT Program, including collaborations with SM Stationery and Mr. D.I.Y., while Aklan has mobilized 10 supermarkets and bookstores for multi-day promotional sales.
In Negros Occidental, participating Lopue’s branches are offering substantial discounts, while Guimaras has enlisted 15 establishments to provide budget-friendly deals not only on school supplies but also on clothing, hardware items, and household appliances.
The DTI also urged consumers to maximize savings by checking unused school supplies at home, preparing a budget before shopping, and comparing prices across stores and platforms before making purchases.
To guide consumers, the agency released its updated “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies,” which lists prevailing price ranges of common school items.
Under the guide, writing and composition notebooks range from P13 to P52, pencils from P12 to P18 each, ballpens from P3 to P21 each, and crayons from P12 to P114 per box depending on size and brand.
The DTI said the latest price guide is available through its website and official social media platforms as part of efforts to help Filipino families make informed purchasing decisions and protect their spending power during the back-to-school season./PN
