Parents on the hunt for bargains

As early as three months before a school season starts, middle to lower income parents set aside a budget for their children’s enrollment and school supplies.

One such parent is 52-year-old Jenna Endrina, a housewife with two kids in grade school and another two in high schools.

She bought four dozen notebooks for her kids at P100 per dozen at Unitop.

Another bargain store is Best Buy Mart located in Colon Street, Cebu City. Edna Hernani, 40-year-old cashier of Best Buy, said they expect a flood of customers on the first week of school season.

“Most shoppers choose cheaper goods. They usually buy in bulk in order to save money,” said Mary Grace Fat, person in charge of Best Buy’s school supplies section.

Anthony Cruz, a 38-year-old father of a seven year-old son enrolled in second grade in Basak, Mandaue City, said he started saving up since March.

“I saved a few hundred pesos every pay day so I can buy new items for my son,” he said.

Another shopper who requested anonymity said she borrowed money from a lending firm just to be able to buy all the school requirements of her daughters.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminded parents to check on the quality control markings of goods before buying them to ensure kid´s safety.

Based on price monitoring data from the Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO), there are no significant increases in pricing of the basic school supplies.

The Provincial Board (PB) on Monday requested the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 to crack down on stores overpricing their school supplies.

The resolution sponsored by Provincial Board (PB) Member Arleigh Sitoy is aimed at preventing stores from hoarding their school supplies in order to overprice them later.

Last Monday, the PB also requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) to deploy policemen near school vicinities on June 3.

“The risk posed by criminal elements also increase,” said PB Member Julian Daan.

“It is common knowledge that during this event, students from the province fall prey to street crimes, such as pickpockets, robbers and phone snatchers,” Daan said in the resolution. Jessanie Lumagbas, CNU Intern with Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos