MALAYBALAY CITY  (PIA)—In response to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) call to continuously help consumers avail of quality goods at discounted prices, especially this time of pandemic, DTI Bukidnon organized a Diskwento Caravan on July 8 at Valencia City Gymnasium.

Dubbed as “Diskwento Caravan: Alay sa mga Konsyumers na Nagpabakuna,” DTI-Bukidnon has partnered with Valencia City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCCI) and Valencia City Government in an effort to support the government’s bid to forgo and end people’s vaccine hesitancy.

Eriberto A. Taban-ud Jr, DTI-Bukidnon provincial director, said the event would encourage people to talk with their vaccine-hesitant friends and family about the need to get inoculated to protect them from COVID-19.

“Those who have been vaccinated are our beneficiaries. Regardless of how many doses—either first or second dose—the cardholder is eligible for the discount,” he said.

Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, likewise, shared other people’s concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines despite the overwhelming evidence that these vaccines are safe and effective. She urged residents to tell the whole world about the need for everyone to get vaccinated to end the pandemic.

“This initiative of DTI and Valencia Chamber could help the City Government entice more people to get vaccinated. I, therefore, enjoin everyone to tell their neighbors, family, and friends that freebies and discounted prices of the basic necessities can be availed in the Diskwento Caravan if you are a vaccine cardholder. I commend DTI and Valencia City Chamber for organizing this kind of event,” Huervas said.

The DTI, on the other hand, thanked Valencia Chamber and the City Government for their unwavering support.

 “We regard the city’s Chamber of Commerce and the City Government as our strongest partners here in creating shared and inclusive growth. Also, we extend our blissful thanks to our distributors and retailers for actively participating and selling their products at very affordable prices,” the DTI provincial director said.

During the event, DTI and Valencia Chamber signed a Memorandum of Agreement to renew both party’s commitment as partners in ensuring consumers’ welfare, safety, and quality of goods and services; consumer redress mechanism; and the establishment and maintenance of standards in ethical business practices. (EATJ, DTI/RLRB, PIA Bukidnon)