BALANGA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched its Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan at Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga in Bataan to help ease the financial burden of back-to-school expenses and provide families access to affordable school supplies ahead of the opening of classes.
From May 13 to 15, the initiative brought together 52 participating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), distributors, and agri producers, including 33 food and 19 non-food exhibitors, offering discounted products for consumers.
The caravan forms part of the government’s efforts to bring essential goods closer to communities while supporting local enterprises and strengthening consumer access to affordable products.
DTI Bataan Provincial Director Eileen Ocampo thanked partner agencies and stakeholders for supporting the initiative and highlighted the role of MSMEs in sustaining local economic activity.
“Siyempre po sa ating mga MSMEs, sila naman po ang bida sa ating diskwento caravan. Maraming salamat po sa ating mga distributors, retailers, at ang ating KAANIB na ang ginagawa po ay talagang dinadala at inilalapit po ang ating mga paninda, ang ating mga basic necessities and prime commodities sa mga tao especially po this time na medyo mayroon po tayong kinakaharap na krisis at kailangan po talaga ng suporta from the government (Of course, for our MSMEs, they are the highlight of our caravan. Thank you very much to our distributors, retailers, and our KAANIB, who are truly bringing and making available our goods, our basic necessities and prime commodities, to the people, especially at this time when we are facing a crisis and there is a real need for support from the government),” Ocampo said.
She expressed hope that the discounts offered under the program would provide meaningful relief to consumers.
“Sana po makatulong po itong aming diskwento caravan where we offer a minimum 10 percent discount (We hope that this discount caravan of ours will be of help, where we offer a minimum 10 percent discount),” she added.
The initiative also aligns with the national government’s continuing efforts to strengthen MSMEs and improve access to essential goods, consistent with broader priorities on regional resilience, including supply chain stability, as reflected in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s statements during the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Cebu.
By linking consumers directly with MSMEs, distributors, and local producers, the Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan seeks to provide immediate assistance to families while helping MSMEs expand their market reach and contribute to inclusive economic development. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
