GMA happy over price level of school supplies

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed elation Friday over the same price levels of school supplies this year, as she urged budget conscious bargain hunters to buy their school supply needs in Divisoria instead of the regular shops.

In her visit to the so-called hawkers’ paradise in Binondo this morning, the President said the government is closely monitoring the prices of school supplies in the wake of the opening of classes on Monday.

"For the poor, our advice is go buy in Divisorioa because it's cheaper there than in bookstores," she told bargain hunters.

The President, who returned this morning from a five-day visit to New Zealand and Australia, inspected several stalls, among them the one owned by Victorina Reyes along C.M. Recto Avenue.

She was accompanied by Philippine School Pads and Notebooks Manufacturers’ Association (PHISPANO) president Gerry Lim, Philippine Stationers’ Association president Eddie Chua and Divisoria Sidewalk Vendors’ Association president Alfredo Reyes.

The President noted that the prices of school supplies this year and last year were the same for both in Divisoria and all bookstores.

"We are checking the prices of school supplies because school is about to start but we see from monitoring the prices of school supplies now that they are the same last year. And here in Divisoria, it's cheaper than in bookstores but even in bookstores, their prices are still the same as last year," she said.

This, according to her, is a result of the low inflation rate recorded at 2.9 percent which is lower compared to Australia’s 3.5 percent inflation rate.

The President thanked the school supplies retailers in Divisoria and the bookstore owners for maintaining the price levels.