Ilocos sur: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Ilocos Sur, in collaboration with local businesses, has launched the Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan ahead of the June school opening.

According to Philippines News Agency, the caravan took place in Santa Lucia town, where at least 10 local enterprises and four exhibitors offered discounts on school supplies, food, and non-food products at the Gov. Titong Singson Memorial Auditorium. The initiative aims to provide affordable school essentials to students and parents, especially low-income families, before classes begin.

'DTI Ilocos Sur and the local government unit of Santa Lucia partnered for the ongoing caravan,' the agency stated. The DTI highlighted that shoppers can now access discounts ranging from 10 to 20 percent on selected products from participating exhibitors without having to travel far.

Participants included Jems Office and School Supplies, Pandayan Bookshop, Mart One Department Store, Dupayen Native Delicacies, and other micro, small, and medium enterprises. The initiative has inspired other local government units in the province to request the return of the Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan to support local entrepreneurs in promoting and selling their products at discounted prices.

Based on the latest monitoring, the DTI confirmed that prices of most school supplies remain stable, with adequate stock levels available.