LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY (PIA) – At least 30 local exhibitors and micro-entrepreneurs in the Bicol region generated a total sales of P673,056.87 at the recent Kadiwa ng Pangulo Para sa Manggagawa, Livelihood Fair, and Diskwento Caravan held in Legazpi City.

The trade fair is part of the pre-Labor Day activities led by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol.  The exhibitors include farmers and fishermen cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) from the various provinces in the region.

The activity is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, National Food Authority 5, Provincial Government of Albay and City Government of Legazpi.

DOLE Regional Director Ma. Zenaida A. Angara-Campita said that these collaborative activities are in line with the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide affordable and accessible food to every Filipino.

“Nakakagalak na naging matagumpay ang ating Kadiwa at trade fair na talaga namang dinumog ng mga mamimili at umabot sa halagang lagpas kalahating milyon ang benta sa pangkalahatan (We are happy that our Kadiwa and trade fair was successful. There was a big crowd of buyers and the total sales reached over half a million),” she said.

“Kami po sa DOLE, full force na sumusuporta sa layunin ng ating pangulo para mapababa ang presyo ng pangunahing bilihin at pagkain para sa mamamayan( We at DOLE are in full force supporting our president to lower down the prices of basic commodities and food for our people),” Campita added.

Kadiwa ng Pangulo is a component of the strategies of the Marcos administration to combat the effects of food inflation. It was launched last year to provide farmers, and fishers, and MSMEs with direct and stable market, and the consumers with affordable food items.

Diskwento Caravan

DTI Albay Consumer Protection Division OIC-Chief Ma. Lourdes A. Pasobillo said that with the Diskwento Caravan, consumers were able to avail products at 12% discounted price compared to the market price.

“Maraming mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng mamimili ang available sa programang ito, pati na rin ang mga lokal na produkto mula sa iba't ibang probinsiya (There are many basic consumer needs that are available for this program, including local products from different provinces)” Pasobillo said during the Consumer Network on Air segment at Talakayan sa PIA Albay program.

Part of the caravans are bundled and buy-one-take-one products.

“The workers and several consumers were very appreciative of the activity and have expressed their gratitude to the various agencies for the conduct of this momentous event. Truly it provided them an avenue to get the best value for their hard-earned money,” Pasobillo said.

The Diskwento Caravan (DC) is a DTI initiative in partnership with the manufacturers and distributors of basic necessities and prime commodities, which aims to provide consumers with quality products at lower market prices. (With report from John Paul Monsalve, Oro Site National High School/PIA5/Albay)