MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is supporting the conduct of online sale events to help bring back consumer confidence and revive the economy amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
In an interview with CNN Philippines Friday night, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez praised Cebu for holding a big virtual sale to boost businesses.
He said the agency would be encouraging commercial centers to conduct a similar event, as well as to offer promos for renewed consumer confidence.
“We really need all these programs to revitalize and re-stimulate demand in the economy,” he said.
To encourage consumer spending and help the economy bounce back, the Philippine Retailers Association Cebu Chapter is set to hold the first digital sale event, the Great Cebu Sale, from Sept.15 to Oct.31.
Consumers can get deals from various brands engaged in the hospitality, wellness, travel, automotive, fashion, hardware, electronics and food industries during the Great Cebu Sale.
Participating businesses will be providing their own digital ordering and payment portal.
While the DTI is for the reopening of the economy through resumption of more business activities, Lopez said minimum health standards should continue.
“We continue to push it in the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases). The IATF, thankfully, is adopting that mindset. It’s time to reopen the economy and bring back the jobs,” he said.