Cutting the ceremonial ribbon opening the Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan are (L-R) DTI-Zambales director Enrique Tacbad, SBMA Labor Department manager Atty. Melvin Varias, Harbor Point marketing manager Grace Ignisaban, SBMA deputy administrator Atty. Ruel John Cabigting, and Olongapo City Consumer Affairs Council president Roger Castillejo. Photo by Johnny R. Reblando
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Department of Trade and Industry-Zambales office started Wednesday its “Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan” at the Service Road, Harbor Point, Ayala Malls here.
Forty exhibitors/sellers from Marikina, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Zambales are participating in the event that will end on Friday.
DTI-Zambales director Enrique Tacbad said the Diskwento Caravan is a major project of Secretary Mon Lopez aimed to provide discounted prices of basic and prime commodities particularly in times of calamities.
Last year, the DTI served 5,055 consumers with total sales of P1.195 million through these caravans.
“DTI-Zambales has the most number of Diskwento Caravans in the whole Central Luzon. Tangkilikin po natin ito, 99.5% belong to our small and medium enterprise” said Tacbad.
The DTI provincial office also conducted livelihood seeding program under the Negosyo Serbisyo in Barangay Sta Fe, San Marcelino; Barangay East Dirita, San Antonio; and Barangay Sto. Niño, San Felipe.
The opening of the Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan was followed by a job fair conducted by the SBMA Labor Department with 21 locators and 500 job vacancies.
On Friday, last day of the Caravan, the DTI will hold a mini concert at 5-6:30 p.m. with the “Talentadong SBMA,” to attract more customers.
