DTI hosts discount caravans as school opening approaches

School opening is certainly approaching and back-to-school shopping is becoming a hit again.

The Department of Trade and Industry says it has organized “Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravans” (Back-to-school Discount Caravans) in the provinces of Central Visayas.

DTI’s discount caravan, which started it in 2008, sells basic goods and school supplies at discounted prices to local residents.

The caravan is done with the involvement of local government units, consumer welfare groups, local retailers, wholesalers and manufactures.

In Negros Oriental, the trade agency had the caravan in Sta. Catalina last April 17-18 and in Manjuyod town on May 15-16.

The department says the caravan will also visit the consumers of Siquijor province on May 22-23 and of Bohol on May 27 and May 30-31.

In Cebu, DTI will have the caravan in barangays Caleriohan and Mantalongon in Dalaguete town on May 30 and 31.

“With the Diskwento Caravans, consumers can avail of discounts on school supplies and other products,” DTI says in a statement.

The discount may range from 20% to 50%.

The caravans offer school items and products such as bags, uniforms and shoes and prime commodities such as bread, sardines, cooking oil, processed meat and detergent bars.

The DTI conducts consumer education at the caravans through games, raffles and other fun-filled activities.

Consumer Welfare Chief Zaide Bation of DTI Cebu earlier said that school supply traders assured prices of their products would remain stable during the peak sale season this month and next.

“We have not foreseen any factors that will affect [price trends],” she said.