CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed a measure that seeks to impose a retail price maintenance and uniform discounting scheme in book trade.

Rodriguez’ House Bill 6653 or the proposed Retail Price Maintenance and Uniform Discounting Act aims to ensure affordable, accessible and quality-laden textbooks and other related educational materials used by private and public schools.

Rodriguez explained that there is a need to outline incentives to ensure the affordability, accessibility and quality of the textbooks and related educational materials.

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

“Records show that Japan, South Korea, Germany and other progressive countries have been adopting the Retail Price Maintenance and Uniform Discounting Scheme,” he added.

The measure will provide a uniform discount scheme of not lower than 10 percent but not more than 25 percent to bookstores or private educational institutions.

Under the scheme, publishers shall maintain the retail prices of their products while giving a uniform discount to bookstores.