- DTI R2, LGU rollout livelihood aid to Santiago City market vendors
Twenty-two (22) market vendors from the Santiago City Public Market received livelihood aid courtesy of DTI’s Livelihood Seeding Program-Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (LSP-PPG) Program in partnership with the City Government of Santiago.
At the ceremony, Santiago City Mayor Atty. Sheena Tan-Dy extended her gratitude to DTI Region 2 for recognizing the market vendors in Santiago City for their efforts to abide by existing trade laws.
On the other hand, RD Leah Pulido Ocampo vowed to keep supporting efforts to encourage ethical business conduct in public marketplaces, which is essential for safeguarding the rights of the general consuming public.
The kits included selling paraphernalia such as digital weighing scales, price boards, calculators, crates, and bags.
(Originally posted on Facebook on 11 July 2022)
- Meeting with bizmen and members of the consumer groups; pledges to keep ties strong
On 11 July 2022, DTI R2 Regional Director (RD) Leah Pulido Ocampo met with representatives of the Konsyumer Assistance, Protection, and Welfare Association (KAPWA) and the Southern Isabela Chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce to discuss upcoming initiatives to support industries and advance consumer welfare in Santiago City.
PCCI Region 2 Governor Mr. Gary Chong welcomed everyone in the meeting and shared PCCI’s continued support in revitalizing the local economy by extending their programs to those hoping to venture into business. He continued by saying that Isabela’s commercial stream will be more robust and productive owing to the joint efforts of the public, private, and consumer sectors.
Mr. Raymundo Dela Cruz, President of KAPWA, then reaffirmed his support to the DTI’s consumer awareness campaigns. He said that by increasing their members’ knowledge of the various regulations, particularly those pertaining to product standards, and holding continuous informational sessions, they will be able to act as force multipliers in the effort to increase consumer protection and awareness in the province.
Meanwhile, RD Ocampo gave good news on the DTI’s confirmation of the Santiago City Government’s request for equipment for its mango processing facility. The facility will soon be furnished with the machinery required to produce mango puree and dried mangoes that are currently in high demand.
She also spoke about DTI’s ongoing support for consumer organizations, particularly KAPWA, which is very valuable to DTI in its mandate to promote consumerism in Isabela.
She also promised to maintain close links between DTI and all industry and consumer stakeholders in an effort to support the economy’s recovery.
The meeting concluded the first day of RD Ocampo’s immersion tour to Isabela, which lasted on 16 July 2022.
Earlier that day, RD Ocampo also paid a visit to two Shared Service Facility beneficiaries namely the Sugarcane Farmers Agriculture Cooperative in Brgy. Bannawag Norte and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office in Brgy. San Andres.
- Cacao plantations visitation in San Agustin and Jones
On 13 July 2022, RD Leah Pulido Ocampo visited the cacao plantations of Ms. Juliet Guieb of HJ Guieb Farms in San Agustin and Mr. Ed Nicolas of Nicolas Integrated Farm in Jones.
RD Leah lauded both farms for carrying out the Isabela brand of cacao to the rest of the world.
A quick tour inside the banana processing center of Guieb Farms and the cacao fermentation and storage site of Nicolas IF wrapped up the visit.
(Originally posted on Facebook on 14 July 2022)
- Dinapigue Negosyo Center launch
Dinapigueños shall soon avail the programs and services of DTI through the Negosyo Center Dinapigue!
When RD Leah Pulido Ocampo first visited the coastal town of Dinapigue in Isabela in November 2021, she recognized the need to launch a Negosyo Center, given the increasing need for business counseling and livelihood assistance in the town.
Dinapigue is a prospective supplier and a potential exporter of raw materials such as fish, coconut, rattan, and pineapple, which are all abundant in the area. All they need is an enhancement to their processing techniques and marketing plans.
According to RD Ocampo, the first step to achieving this is to set up a special center or office where farmers, producers, craftsmen, and aspiring business owners can access training, business counseling, marketing, assistance with their livelihoods, and capital—all of which are essential in aiding the growth of MSMEs in this coastal town.
On 12 July 2022, Dinapigue Mayor Vicente Mendoza and RD Leah Pulido Ocampo, together with PD Ma. Sofia G. Narag, formally launched the Negosyo Center Dinapigue at the Eduardo F. Chakiton Memorial Multipurpose Community Center, Brgy. Digumased, Dinapigue, Isabela.
Negosyo Centers, which exist as mini DTI offices in the LGUs, are in charge of improving ease of doing business and making services more accessible to Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in developing and rural areas.
Want to know more about Negosyo Centers? Visit the link below:
Negosyo Center
(Originally posted on Facebook on 14 July 2022)
- Launch of two CWACs
In consonance with its initiatives in championing consumer protection in the province, DTI R2 Isabela in partnership with the local government units of Cabagan and Tumauini launched two new Consumer Welfare Assistance Centers (CWAC) on 15 July 2022.
Together with other officials Cabagan Mayor Atty. Christopher Mamauag and Tumauini Mayor Hon. Venus Bautista attended the official launching of the CWACs in their respective towns. Both were upbeat on the positive impact of CWACs in public markets, particularly with regard to the effective handling of consumer complaints and grievances as well as the dissemination of information about pricing and other trade regulations.
On the other hand, RD Leah Pulido Ocampo commended Mayors Mamauag and Bautista for their prompt response to the initiative and pledged to continue supporting the CWAC’s operations by regularly conducting a series of capacitation training among its personnel to better their services to consumers.
Since the CWAC Program’s official inauguration in 2021— one of RD Ocampos’ Breakthrough Goals — the two newly opened CWACs are the third and fourth to be established in Isabela. ♦
Date of Release: 1 August 2022