ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 4 March) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to conduct the first-ever Mobile Diskwento Caravan (MDC) in Region IX.
Ceferino Rubio, DTI regional consumer protection division chief, said the caravan is in line with the primary functions of the agency to bring the basic services to the less fortunate sector of the society.
Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI OIC-regional director, said the MDC will be held in the rural areas since it is designed for the poor.
“Diskwento Caravan is really designed for the poor. Instead of conducting it in the business centers in the region, let us bring this activity to our intended clients in the rural areas,” Jain said.
“This way, we accomplish our goal of helping those who really need it. While we recognize that there are those who reside in the urban areas who need such assistance, we cannot deny the fact that the consumers in the rural or far-flung areas need it the most,” Jain pointed out.
Rubio said the MDC is slated to kick off on April 15 in this city.
It will be followed on April 17 in Zamboanga Sibugay, April 19 in Zamboanga del Norte and April 21 in Zamboanga del Sur.
Rubio said that a careful study and analysis was made as to how to bring the MDC to the depressed areas taking into consideration all the logistics needed and the commitment of the participating distributors leading to the preparation for the activity.
Rubio said that 100 percent of the local canneries and the different department stores fully support the holding of the caravan. The distributors, in a meeting, have also agreed on a consignment basis of their goods.
He said they already started looking for van or truck provider that will serve as a mobile or rolling store during the conduct of the MDC.
“MDC is virtually a wing van type, with a bodega capacity of 2m x 2m x 9m (30 ft.) that will carry the products from one province to another. We have already made some progress on this,” he explained.
Rubio said they are coming up with the mechanics on how to run the MDC since it will be the first of its kind and the first ever to be held.
“This is the first time we will be doing this. We need to perfect the mechanics and every aspect involved in the project to ensure its success,” Rubio emphasized.
“The commitment of the distributors in supporting the activity is a very welcome development,” he added.
