Participating firms generate P75.8-M sale from DTI program

MANILA, Philippines - Participating manufacturers in Diskwento Caravans generated P75.8 million worth of sales in 2013, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

In a statement, the DTI said the sales were raised from the 28 caravans held last year.

“A total of 310,000 consumers benefited from Diskwento Caravans nationwide, generating a total of P75.8 million sales,” it said.

The Diskwento Caravan is a project participated by various manufacturers selling products lower than prevailing prices in the area.

Consumers going to the caravans can buy goods at 10 to 70 percent discount.

The Diskwento Caravans are being held in time for school openings to allow consumers to purchase school supplies at a discount.

The caravans are also held before Christmas to offer Noche Buena items.

Last year, the DTI likewise conducted Diskwento Caravans in areas affected by calamities such as the 7.2-magnitude earthquake which hit Bohol in October and Super Typhoon Yolanda which damaged parts of the country in November.

The caravans are rolled out in calamity-hit areas when stores there are not yet ready to sell goods or when it is difficult for basic goods to be brought to the area.

Among the goods sold at caravans in areas affected by calamities last year were bottled water, canned goods, coffee, milk, noodles, rice, biscuits, bread, condiments and personal care products.

Companies which participated in caravans held in calamity-stricken areas include Gardenia, Nestlé, Century Canning, Unilever, San Miguel Pure Foods Co. Inc., Dranix, Alturas Group of Companies, Bohol Quality Corp., AH Shoppers’ Mart, and  River Valley Distributor Inc.

The National Food Authority has likewise participated in the caravans for the distribution of rice.