CAGAYAN de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed a measure that seeks to establish a Retail Price Maintenance and Uniform Discounting Scheme for textbooks.

He said that House Bill 2384 or the proposed Retail Price Maintenance and Uniform Discounting Act will help ensure the affordability, accessibility and quality of textbooks and related educational materials.

“There is no doubt that until today, there are no clear guidelines or incentives on book trade transactions,” Rodriguez said in his explanatory note.

The lawmaker said progressive countries have adopted a scheme wherein publishers shall maintain the retail prices of their products while giving a uniform discount to bookstores

“This legislation would address the shortage of books and other instrumental materials every school year,” Rodriguez said.

Under the bill, the uniform discount scheme shall not be lower than 10 percent but not more than 25 percent. This shall be given by the publishers only to bookstores accredited and registered with the duly publishing association.

The bill also mandates a declared retail price forwarded by the duly organized and accredited publishing association to be observed nationwide.