DTI eyes setting SRP on laptops, tablets

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is studying the possibility of setting SRP (suggested retail price) on laptops and tablets amid the education’s shift to online learning.

Trade Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Ruth Castelo said in an interview on Dobol B as News TV that the agency is looking at putting the SRP on the said gadgets used during online classes.

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“Hindi pa po siya sure [it is not yet sure],” Castelo said.

“Inaaral po natin kasi nakita natin na maraming bundle packages, o discount packages na nilabas ‘yung mga computer distributors natin [we are seeing that there are a lot of bundle packages or discount packages the computer distributers released],” she said.

She said the DTI’s initial study found that the price of laptops and tablets vary depending on the design, specifications, and size.

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“Hinihingi natin sa Department of Education ano ‘yung kanilang minimum requirement specifications ng device na magagamit talaga ng mga estudyante,” she said.

(We ask the Department of Education what are their minimum requirement specifications of the device that students can actually use.)

Also read: Gatchalian: Deped seemed unprepared for August opening of classes

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DTI eyes setting SRP on laptops, tablets

The DTI official added that the supposed SRP would only cover the most basic types of laptops and tablets.

“Kung saka sakali, ‘yung pinaka basic, ‘yung pnakamaliit na size ng memory,” Castelo said.

(If ever, it would be for the most basic, those with smallest memory size.)

In May, DepEd said parents do not need to buy  for their children to participate in blended learning.

According to DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan, they are preparing printed learning materials for students who have no gadgets and no access to the internet.

He said they would find ways to deliver such printed materials to the students.
The school year 2020-2021 was supposed to open on August 24 but President Rodrigo Duterte moved it on October 5 after different parents and teachers groups urged that public schools are not yet ready to start classes.