DTI Urges Smart School Supply Shopping Before June 16

By Mariela Angella Oladive

As the June 16 school opening approaches, the Department of Trade and Industry Region VI is urging parents and students to canvass early and shop wisely using the 2025 “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies,” the official buying guide for academic year 2025–2026.

This year’s guide includes 195 stock-keeping units (SKUs), up from 173 in 2024, and features products from nine manufacturers or distributors and one retailer.

Of the 147 SKUs retained from last year, 101 (52%) maintained their prices, 29 (15%) saw price decreases, and 17 (9%) posted increases.

The remaining 48 SKUs (25%) are newly added items.

According to the guide, price ranges for commonly purchased school supplies—depending on brand, size, and packaging—are as follows:

• Notebooks (80 leaves): PHP 15.00–PHP 52.00
• Grade pad paper: PHP 18.00–PHP 37.60
• Intermediate pad: PHP 26.00–PHP 48.75
• Pencils: PHP 11.00–PHP 17.60
• Ballpens: PHP 3.00–PHP 33.00
• Crayons: PHP 12.00–PHP 114.00
• Erasers: PHP 4.50–PHP 20.00
• Sharpeners: PHP 15.00–PHP 69.00
• Rulers: PHP 16.00–PHP 39.00

Several items recorded notable price hikes compared to last year:

• Notebooks: Up by 3%–60% (PHP 1.00–PHP 8.30)
• Grade pad paper: Up by 89% (PHP 8.50)
• Intermediate pad: Up by 136% (PHP 20.20)
• Pencils: Up by 7% (PHP 1.50)
• Crayons, 8 pcs: Up by 7% (PHP 1.25)
• Crayons, 24 pcs: Up by 5% (PHP 2.00)
• Rulers: Up by 10% (PHP 3.00)

DTI-6 Regional Director Rachel Nufable attributed the increases to rising paper costs, better product quality, and higher production expenses.

She added that some products had lower prices in 2024 due to promotional discounts, making this year’s rates appear higher.

DTI-6 has monitored 89 retail outlets across key cities and municipalities in the region.

Nufable emphasized the value of early canvassing and careful comparison shopping.

“We encourage consumers—especially parents and students—to use the guide as a reference,” she said.

“Canvas early, buy early. This gives you time to compare prices and choose materials that suit your budget.”

Consumer Protection Division Chief Grace Benedicto urged buyers to check for proper safety labeling, especially on items like crayons, which must be marked “nontoxic” in accordance with Food and Drug Administration standards.

She also explained DTI’s compliance monitoring procedures.

“When we monitor, we take note of the compliance,” Benedicto said.

“If there is a violation, we report it to the head office, and they will contact the manufacturers for justification as to why the prices or product conditions do not align with the approved guide.”

The public is encouraged to report retailers charging significantly higher prices than those listed in the guide so the DTI can take appropriate action.

With demand for school supplies expected to surge in the coming weeks, DTI assured continued monitoring to keep products accessible and affordable.

“The full list of suggested retail prices is available to both consumers and retailers,” Benedicto added.

DTI stressed that informed and proactive buying contributes to a smooth and affordable back-to-school season.