CASSAVA AND CARDABA GROWERS RECEIVE SPRAYERS FROM DTI

A total of 85 knapsack sprayers with a 16-liter capacity were distributed by the Department of Trade and Industry – Davao del Norte Provincial Office in cooperation with the local government unit to cassava and cardaba producers from Patil, Gupitan, Sua-on and Florida in Kapalong, Davao del Norte last March 16, 2015. DTI Davao del Norte OIC Romeo Castañaga together with Kapalong Vice Mayor Maritess Timbol turned over a knapsack sprayer to a farmer from Barangay Florida, Kapalong This activity is part of the Bottom up Budgeting program, more commonly known as BuB, implemented by the agency in the said municipality. The BuB is a project of the national government which aims to achieve inclusive growth for all sectors of society through poverty alleviation and creation of livelihood opportunities. Knapsack sprayers ready for distribution to the farmers. DTI Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga and Kapalong Vice-Mayor Maritess Timbol spearheaded the turn-over of the said sprayers. They also reminded the farmers not to sell the sprayers as these will be subjected for monitoring by concerned government agencies. However, they encouraged them to share their sprayers to neighbors and or relatives who have need for such but unfortunately did not qualify as one of the beneficiaries. Farmers from Barangay Sua-on, Kapalong pose with their newly-received knapsack sprayers. According to OIC Castañaga, the agency aims to conduct more productivity trainings for the farmers in the future to ensure sustainable growth. DTI has already conducted various agricultural skills trainings for the farmers from Kapalong in the previous year. A farmer from Barangay Florida prepares to go home with the Knapsack sprayer she just received from DTI

Aside from the sprayers, the farmers were also given bolos. They said that the farm tools given to them were indeed a great help as these are quite expensive and therefore not readily affordable for everyone.

DTI’s DISKWENTO CARAVAN INVADES IGACOS

With the aim of bringing affordable goods to the masses, DTI Davao del Norte Provincial Office in cooperation with the City Investment and Tourism Office conducted a Presyo Diskwento Caravan at the Freedom Park, Peñaplata, Island Garden City of Samal during the 17th Araw ng Samal on March 7, 2015. The event was held in partnership with NCCC Department Store, Samal Central Warehouse and LYR Marketing Corporation who provided the goods put on sale during the event. Consumers were able to enjoy up to 20% discount on homewares, apparels and grocery products. Home appliances and motorcycles were also offered for up to 5% discount. Samaleños also enjoyed free haircut, massage and manicure upon presentation of an official receipt from participating stores. A total of 10 local barbers, masseurs and manicurists joined the event and provided their expertise. Roughly 3,300 people benefited from the activity with aggregate sales of Php 950,000.00 Presyo Diskwento Caravan is another advocacy long conducted by DTI to promote consumer welfare by selling goods to consumers at discounted prices through partnerships with big retail and manufacturing firms in the country. DTI Davao del Norte has already conducted a total of 13 Presyo Diskwento Caravans since 2012 benefiting more than 12,000 consumers and generating almost Php4million in sales.

DTI PUTS UP TIMBANGAN NG BAYAN IN IGACOS

As part of the agency’s Timbangan ng Bayan Project, the Department of Trade and Industry Davao del Norte Provincial Office turned over a total of 6 Timbangan ng Bayan to the local government unit of the Island Garden City of Samal.   DTI Davao del Norte Officer In Charge Romeo L. Castañaga (2nd from left) and City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan (4th from left) signs Memorandum of Agreement for the turn-over of Timbangan ng Bayan, witnessed by Delvin Santos (1st from left) of DTI-Davao del Norte and City Vice Mayor Al David T. Uy (3rd from left). To set it off, Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga of DTI Davao del Norte and City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan inked the Memorandum of Agreement governing the use of the said Timbangan ng Bayan during the opening ceremony of the city’s 17th Founding Anniversary last March 4, 2015. It was witnessed by Delvin Santos of DTI Davao del Norte Provincial Office Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulation Division, City Vice Mayor Al David T. Uy, Deputy Mayor Rolando P. Etaoc and city officials and employees. The Timbangan ng Bayan is a nationwide project of the Department of Trade and Industry where the agency, in cooperation with local government units, set up weighing scales in public markets. This is intended to protect consumers from unfair trade practices and ensure that they get the exact weight of the goods they purchase. Mr. Castañaga said that consumers in the island can now make use of these weighing scales which are already installed in Babak, Kaputian and Peñaplata public markets. OIC Romeo L. Castañaga inspects Timbangan ng Bayan in Peñaplata Public Market with staffs from DTI-DavNor and the City Investment and Tourism Office as market vendors and customers looked on. In IGaCoS, these weighing scales are placed side by side with the Consumer Price Billboard – a joint project of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture where current suggested retail prices of basic necessities are listed.

DTI continues to call on consumers to report any unfair trade practices to their office. In Davao del Norte, they are located at Capitol Compound, Mankilam, Tagum City. You may also phone in your report at (084) 216-3505/(084) 216-2309 , text them at 09177221025 or email them at r11.davaodelnorte@dti.gov.ph.