By Gideon C. Corgue
MOLAVE, Zamboanga del Sur – Parents
and students from poor families on Tuesday flocked to the municipal gym here to
avail themselves of the “2013 Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan” conducted by the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and in coordination with the local
government unit and selected distributors of school supplies.
Two hours before the opening program, the parents
and students were already inside the gym as they were all eager to buy school
supplies and uniforms as well basic and prime commodities at discounted prices.
Products sold at the “Diskwento
Caravan” with 5 to 50 percent off the regular prices include notebooks, pad
papers, pencils, pens, crayolas, scissors, school bags and uniforms, shoes,
among others.
Municipal Local Government Operations Officer
Genodino Abong who represented Mayor Ireneo Glepa said “the administration of Mayor
Glepa tapped the services of DTI in conducting the ‘diskwento caravan’ to give
the low-income families an opportunity to avail of the discounted products from
the different establishments all housed in a one venue.”
Abong said “the one-day caravan, which was also
done last year, is again held this year to continue giving our consumers, who
want to maximize their budget for school supplies, school bags, shoes and
uniforms of the students, a chance to get these at cheaper prices.”
DTI officer-in-charge Roger Sarsalejo said the “Diskwento
Caravan” which started in 2008, is a
flagship project of DTI that aims to provide
non-wage benefits for wage earners and employees to ease the consumers’ burden
with the rising prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.
To avail of the program, Sarsalejo
said, the consumers were urged to follow the mechanics in buying school
supplies, and other goods.
“The consumers were given a limit of
up to P1,500 worth of goods to be purchased to prevent unscrupulous businessmen
to take advantage of the program. After registering, a buyer will be given a
slip giving authorizing him to purchase goods not exceeding the required
amount,” Sarsalejo explained.
Sarsalejo lauded the LGU and the
participating stores like Juanita’s Enterprises, Zenco Footstep, Molave Cinema
Enterprises, Minalan shopper’s Plaza and Young’s Milling for their support and
active participation in the 2013 Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan. (PIA9)
