Parents scramble for affordable school items in Cebu
Parents in Mandaue City are now busy preparing for the return of their children to school. They are striving to balance their budgets amid rising household expenses while looking for affordable uniforms and school supplies.
According to vendors in the city, demand for school items has increased in recent weeks as families begin purchasing notebooks, uniforms, shoes, bags, and other necessities before the first day of class.
For school supply vendor Vergie Estoy, affordable prices remain the top priority for customers. Estoy, who manages a stall for these items, shared that she has maintained lower prices this year because suppliers are offering products at lower costs compared to previous years. For instance, an 80-leaf notebook is currently being sold for only P13 at her stall.
"We are striving to keep prices low because many parents are preparing many school necessities at the same time," Estoy said.
One of those preparing is Michelle Abatayo from Barangay Umapad, who is getting ready to enroll her daughter, Jhanie D. Abatayo, who is set to enter Kindergarten at Opao Elementary School. Abatayo said she has already bought ready-made uniforms, shoes, bags, and school supplies to ensure her child is ready before classes start this Monday, June 8, 2026. She chose to buy ready-made uniforms costing nearly P400 per set instead of buying fabric from the school and paying a tailor. According to Abatayo, buying fabric would cost nearly P600, while tailoring fees are estimated at P600 to P800.
Meanwhile, uniform vendor Lenlen Perez said many parents have already visited her stall to buy uniforms for elementary and high school students. Perez said she maintains a wide selection to serve as a one-stop shop so parents do not have to go to many places. She offers elementary uniforms from P380 to P450 depending on size and style, while high school uniforms range from P580 to P600. Perez noted that prices have remained relatively stable amid economic challenges, with only a slight increase of about P10 compared to previous years. She added that the availability of various uniform designs allows parents to find the specific uniforms required by schools across the city, including institutions like Mandaue Central School and Opao Elementary School. Like other vendors, she also offers discounts for customers who buy in bulk.
As families continue to prepare for the reopening of classes, vendors and parents agree that affordable prices remain a key factor in back-to-school spending. Even though many households face financial challenges, parents are finding ways to manage expenses through careful budgeting, buying cheaper alternatives, and reusing school items when possible.
