On June 15, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted a theatrical price inspection of school supplies in Divisoria and Avenida, just in time for the school year’s kickoff.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque led the stunt, claiming to ease the back-to-school burden on families as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda.

This marked the third episode of DTI’s monitoring circus, conveniently staged to align with the Department of Education’s Balik Eskwela Program.

A grand total of 129 school items from six retail outlets were examined and, surprise, all were magically within the prescribed price list.

DTI’s “Gabay sa Pamimili” guide was allegedly posted for consumer enlightenment, further bolstering their narrative of market compliance.

The inspection served more as a PR campaign than a regulatory breakthrough, showing yet again that performative governance remains on the school supply list.