Filipino families preparing for the opening of School Year 2026–2027 may find some relief in their back-to-school budgets, as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported stable and, in many cases, lower prices for essential school supplies.
The agency is encouraging consumers to take advantage of the favorable pricing environment following recent monitoring activities in major retail hubs that showed most school supplies have either maintained their prices or become cheaper compared with last year.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque led inspection visits in Divisoria, Manila, and later in Baclaran and Pasay City, where officials checked the prices and availability of commonly used school items.
The inspections form part of the government’s annual effort to protect consumers and ensure access to affordable learning materials as millions of students prepare to return to classrooms.
In coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH), the DTI examined retail and wholesale outlets to verify pricing compliance, product labeling, and inventory levels. Monitored products included notebooks, pad paper, pencils, ballpens, crayons, rulers, erasers, and sharpeners.
The agency reported that 109 stock-keeping units (SKUs) retained their previous prices, while about 18 percent posted price reductions of as much as P27. Only a small number of products recorded minimal increases.
The updated DTI School Supplies Price Guide now covers 210 SKUs, including 41 new items added this year.
The findings suggest that competitive market conditions and government monitoring efforts have helped contain costs despite broader inflationary pressures affecting other consumer goods.
Roque urged parents and students to consult the DTI Price Guide before making purchases to identify the most affordable options and stretch household budgets further.
School supplies are classified as prime commodities under the Price Act, giving the DTI authority to monitor prices closely and act against unfair trade practices.
The agency is also continuing its nationwide Diskwento Caravan program and encouraging consumers to report potential pricing violations through official complaint channels.
