BALANGA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with the city government of Balanga and the Bataan Consumer Affairs Council, launched the Maagang Pamasko Diskwento Caravan at the Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga, bringing holiday savings to local shoppers.
A total of 61 exhibitors participated, including 44 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Bataan and 17 retailers from neighboring areas, such as Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Marikina, Quezon City and Manila.
DTI Provincial Director Eileen Ocampo shared her enthusiasm for the event, noting its dual purpose of helping both consumers and small businesses.
“We are conducting this diskwento caravan to bring these basic necessities and prime commodities closer to the people at a discounted price,” Ocampo shared.
She emphasized the variety available, mentioning exhibitors from across the country, offering Bataeños early Christmas shopping options for gifts and noche buena supplies.
“As early as today, you can now shop early for Christmas gifts and noche buena and take advantage of the discounts,” she added, inviting the community to support local MSMEs while enjoying festive shopping.
The three-day caravan, which runs from November 13 to 15, aims to offer shoppers a minimum of 10 percent discounts on goods, along with additional promotional items.
Moreover, DTI Bataan Consumer Protection Division OIC-Chief Gerry Santos encouraged the public to visit the event and make the most of the discounts, highlighting the quality of the items available.
“Spending our bonuses here will not be wasted because you can buy quality items and products from our exhibitors,” he said.
In addition, Rolando Leñada, owner of Tumandok Arts and Crafts from Mexico, Pampanga, shared that the DTI Caravan enabled him to offer handcrafted items like bracelets, necklaces, earrings, fashion pendants, and dreamcatchers inspired by Kalinga and the Cordillera region.
“Malaking tulong ito sa mga kagaya naming mga entrepreneurs kasi almost five years na nag training ako as MSME ng DTI tapos napapasali ako sa mga diskwento caravan at mga bazaar sa mga malls kapag nag iinvite sila (This is a big help for entrepreneurs like us. I’ve trained for almost five years with the DTI as an MSME, and they have invited me to participate in diskwento caravans and bazaars in malls,” Leñada said.
Similarly, Yolanda Apable, another exhibitor and a member of Balanga City’s Kaanib Program, noted that DTI and the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program have significantly supported her efforts to sell agricultural products.
“Napakalaki pong tulong para sa aming mga manininda at nakakatulong din po kami para sa mga customers namin na makabili sa murang halaga (This support is a big help for us vendors, and it also benefits our customers by offering affordable prices),” she said.
As a regular DTI program, the Diskwento Caravan is tailored around seasonal events to ease financial burdens for consumers and boost sales for local businesses. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
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