LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) —The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Ilocos Norte hosted a ‘swap party’ in this city on March 17, where residents exchanged unused household items for community service.
The event, held in line with World Consumer Rights Day, promoted waste reduction, responsible consumption, and sustainability.
Following a successful coastal cleanup drive in Barangay Caoacan, the local DTI office hosted a “sustainable consumer swap party,” allowing community members to exchange pre-loved household items while contributing to their barangay’s cleanup efforts.
Amelia Galvez, provincial director of DTI, emphasized how repurposing household items fosters both sustainability and community service.
“Instead of discarding unused but still usable household items, we can swap them and give them away. It’s a swap party because it’s part of our service to help clean up barangays. We collected whatever we could from our homes to donate,” Galvez said.
Promoting sustainability
Beyond encouraging waste reduction, the initiative also promotes local economic development by supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
By embracing sustainability, MSMEs can adopt eco-friendly production methods, reduce costs, and utilize indigenous materials—aligning with the same principles championed by the Swap Party.
DTI Ilocos Norte helps businesses integrate sustainability into their operations through training and seminars, empowering them to use locally sourced materials while minimizing environmental impact.
“We emphasize that as consumers, we should support our local industries by buying their products,” Galvez said.
The event highlights DTI Ilocos Norte’s commitment to educating consumers and fostering both environmental and economic sustainability.
Its success demonstrates how community-driven efforts can create a greener and more sustainable future for Ilocos Norte. (CCMT/MTDA/HCDG, PIA Ilocos Norte)
