TWO lawmakers called on the Department of Trade and Industry to stop unreasonable price hikes as students prepare to go back to school.

Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo is worried that the prices of school supplies, uniforms, shoes and other items needed by students may rise.

Tulfo called on the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and associations of schools, teachers, students, and non-teaching personnel to unite to make education affordable.

“Tuwing tumataas po kasi ang demand para sa isang produkto, maaaring tumaas din ang presyo nito. At kung ngayon pa lang ay nakikita na ng DTI at LGUs na magmamahal ang presyo ng school supplies, dapat na nilang agapan ito upang hindi mahirapan ang mga magulang,” Tulfo said.

Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron Salo urged concerned government agencies to meet with manufacturers and distributors of school supplies to ensure ample supply in the market.

The lawmaker also called on the agencies to monitor the toxicity level of school supplies.