DTI: Expect price hikes for pencils, crayons

As parents start shopping for school supplies for their children for the coming school year, they may have to expect slight price increases for pencils and crayons. Department of Trade and Industry undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said Wednesday the prices of all other school supplies remain stable. "Nagkaroon tayo ng pagpulong with manufacturers and retail outlets, bookstores. Ang magandang balita ang notebooks and pads parehong presyo, nanatili sa last year's level," she said in an interview on dzBB radio. She said prices of crayons may go up by P3 to P6, while pencil prices may go up by P2 to P3. This was due to price adjustments in wood and petroleum, on which pencils and crayons are based respectively, she added. "'Yan ang dalawang school supplies na tumaas but all the rest the same as last year ang price levels," she said. Meanwhile, Maglaya said the DTI and Department of Health will monitor school supplies for chemical content, including lead. She said they will also be on the lookout for other toxic substances, especially in plastics. A separate report on dzBB said the DTI will go around outlets before the opening of classes on June 4. Starting May 15, the DTI will also deploy 30 "Diskwento Caravans" to sell school supplies and basic goods at lower prices. — LBG, GMA News