More Diskwento Caravans mulled vs price increase

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is planning to hold more Diskwento Caravans and promote direct selling to keep prices of rice, pork, chicken and other basic goods low.

In a viber message to journalists yesterday, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that DTI wanted to hold more Diskwento Caravans to allow consumers to buy basic necessities directly from manufacturers and producers.

Diskwento Caravans are conducted in partnership with local government units (LGUs).

Lopez said that DTI would pilot-test permanent Diskwento Caravans in different areas.

The agency is promoting direct selling to minimize the involvement of middlemen and make prices affordable.

Through the “Presyong Risonable Dapat” program, DTI allows consumers to purchase cheaper rice and pork products from participating supermarkets and retailers.

Lopez said there are also other forms of support being provided by the government to lower the price of rice.

Under the Rice Tariffication Law, he said over P10 billion worth of support per year is provided to rice farmers through seeds, machinery, fertilizer and financial assistance.

Lopez said the Department of Agriculture is giving fuel vouchers to farmers as well.

The government has been pushing for the removal of pass-through charges in LGUs to help bring down costs.

LGUs have been asked to build buffer stocks for rice.

“They can buy directly from farmers and they can borrow funds from government financial institutions such as the Development Bank of the Philippines and LandBank,” Lopez said.

Regarding requests to adjust the suggested retail prices (SRPs) of some basic goods, he said these are still under study.

Earlier, Trade Assistant Secretary Ann Claire Cabochan said they received requests from manufacturers of evaporated and condensed milk, canned meat and sardines to increase the SRP.

Cabichan said DTI approval is needed before any adjustments on the SRP of basic necessities and prime commodities could be implemented.