DAET, Camarines Norte, (PIA) –The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturists (OPAg) lined up various programs to protect the interest of consumers in Camarines Norte in line with the Consumers Welfare Month celebration this October.  

This was discussed during the “Talakayan sa PIA” cum radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Camarines Norte held recently.  

Alvin Sayno, Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist said that one of the activities that they will promote is the learning session for the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas which was held on Sept. 30. MSME proprietors were taught how to plan their financial assets, how to use  cashless payments and online transaction. They were also given tips to avoid being a victim of fraud and scams.  

The DTI  kicked off their activities through a consumerism motorcade participated by the provincial government offices particularly OPAg, Provincial Veterinarian (ProVet), Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) held on Oct. 3. \

ThePhilippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bantayog ng Camarines Norte Consumedores Inc. (BCNCI), Rotary Club of Metro Daet, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Health (DOH) also joined the event. 

The DTI also conducted youth consumerism participated by students of Camarines Norte State College (CNSC) held Oct. 7.

One of the highlights of the activity is the Memorandum Agreement (MOA) signing between DTI-Camarines Norte and the CNSC for the integration of consumer education on the General Education Courses of first year students as special session. DTI Regional Director Rodrigo Aguilar and Provincial Director Christie Rivera and key officials of CNSC graced the activity.

The DTI also supported the 24 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) exhibitors from Camarines Norte who joined the Orgullo kan Bikol (OKB) held in SM Megal Mall in Mandaluyong City held Oct. 12-16. The activity was also participated by other exhibitors from other provinces of the Bicol Region.

Other activities conducted were the launching of Barangay Micro Business Enterprise online registration system , wellness zumba, provincial consumerism challenge Quiz Bee for Junior High School; capacity building seminar for business establishments; and price and supply monitoring in partnership with the BCNCI.

Sayno  clarifiedf thay they have regulatory function on price monitoring over basic commodities like noodles, powdered milk, candles among others. Other agencies involved in price monitoring are the DENR for firewood, plywood, charcoal, nipa shingles among others, Department of Energy (DOE) for the gasoline and DOH for medicines.

He said that the DTI conducts price monitoring on a monthly basis in the 9 towns which have Negosyo Center and weekly in the capital town Daet.

Regarding the issue of live pigs, OPAg Supervising Agriculturist Melinda Jerez, said that  the Provincial Price Coordinating Council on a committee forum agreed the banning  of entering of pigs from nearby provinces like Camarines Sur.

She said that they have also resolved the issue regarding the  oversupply of vegetables. Their solution is to make a calendar for farmers on what to plant per area.

Santiago Malaluan, agriculturist said that the function of OPAg’s marketing section is the daily monitoring of low land vegetables, weekly for the fresh meat, chicken and beef.

He said that if there is an over supply of vegetables, they help the farmers by selling it online and  posting the products at OPAg’s Facebook page.

This is year’s theme for the Consumers Month Celebration is “Sustainable Consumerism in the Digital Age” (RBManlangit-PIA/Camarines Norte)