Touch Mobile, DA tie up for text services

There are many variables that can affect agri-businesses which in turn, affect the price of agriculture commodities. Chief among these is the weather which can impact heavily on a farmer or a fisherman’s earnings. Extreme fluctuations in the weather have been known to drive up the price of vegetables and other produce. It is imperative therefore, for them to always be apprised of changes in local weather conditions, and conversely, for consumers to always know the prices of their products.

Fortunately for this sector’s farmers, fisherfolk and consumers, TM, (the new Touch Mobile), has been tapped by the Department of Agriculture (DA), to make information on weather and agri-product prices readily available through just a text message with services called Presyo Text and Ulat Panahon Text.

"It has always been our thrust to use our resources and partnerships to the advantage of our subscribers. These relevant services were specially tailored to provide TM’s blue-collar subscribers in the agriculture sector with reliable, convenient services that will make a difference in their lives," said Nonie Busuego, head of TM.

To conveniently access weather forecasts through Ulat Panahon Text, all TM subscribers need to do is type the keyword PANAHON and send to 2254. TM will respond with simple instructions for retrieving the required climate updates.

Presyo Text on the other hand gives subscribers a list of DA-recommended wet markets where consumers are assured of fresh produce at the most affordable prices called Huwarang Palangkes. To access the prices of basic goods provided by Price Watch of the DA, TM subscribers just need to send the keyword PRESYO to 2256.

The DA’s Huwarang Palengke includes Sangandaan, Guadalupe, Dagonoy, Tumana, Concepcion (Marikina), Farmers, Muñoz, Clara, Libertad, Blumentritt, Polo, Bonifacio, Kaunlaran, Poblacion, Pritil, Parang, Alabang, Commonwealth, Arayat, Pasig, Agora, Taguig, Karuhatan, Malinta and Sta. Elena among others.

This tie-up with the DA is but one of the many partnerships that tap the resources of the new TM in order to give relevant and convenient communication services to the previously unserviced blue collar segment. These new information services provided by TM are sure to benefit farmers, fishermen and other agri-businesses and consumers alike.