MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is targeting to hold 100 “Diskwento Caravans” nationwide by the end of the year.
Since its re-launch in March this year, the DTI said it has conducted a total of 12 Diskwento Caravans.
“Our target is to be able to organize at least 60 by the end of June and 100 by the end of the year,” Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said. “The Diskwento Caravan has been a hit among smart shoppers with sales reaching more than P1 million in Quezon City, apart from the 11 Caravans in the country so far,” he added.
Consumers are assured of low-cost and yet quality products at the Diskwento Caravan as the manufacturers are certified by the DTI.
The caravan offers basic and prime commodities of leading manufacturers in the country. Manufacturers sell their products as low as their factory price. Products range from medicines, bread, sardines, cooking oil, processed meat, fruits, vegetables, eggs, detergent bars and school supplies.
With the theme, “Balik Eskwela Edition,” DTI and its partners aim to provide prime school supplies at lower prices in preparation for the school opening this month.
Other government agencies like the DENR, DOLE and DOH have expressed their support to this undertaking. “We hope the Diskwento Caravan will consider going to the other barangays in the City of Manila since it will benefit greatly the depressed areas,” said assistant superintendent Dr. Cristina Reyes of the DepEd-Manila Division of City Schools.
The Diskwento Caravan mirrors the Aquino administration’s flagship Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program with AMSPEC, San Miguel Corp., Universal Robina Corp., Unilever, Tentay, Mekeni, Marca Leon, Julie’s Bakeshop, Edson Bakeshop and the Botika ng Bayan showing their support.
“Aside from the Balik Eskwela Edition, the DTI will be coming up with other editions combining other products in the mix including the basic and prime commodities, agricultural products and noche buena” products,” said DTI assistant regional director Emma Asusano.
The Diskwento Caravan started in 2008 to help ease the economic burden of Filipino consumers during the global financial crisis.
This month, the Diskwento Caravan will be in Cagayan, Zambales, Tarlac, Laguna, Antipolo, Region IV-B, Sorsogon, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Region VIII, Region XI, Taguig, Malabon, Pateros and Manila.