TO ASSIST consumers and business owners in their rehabilitation activities, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 brought its Diskwento Caravan to the town of Argao, one of the areas hit by Typhoon Odette (Rai) in December.

Partner merchants that joined the caravan were Cebu Home Builders, Dunkin Donuts, Unitop and Expressions.

Most of the products sold included ready-to-wear items, school supplies, food, galvanized iron sheets and plywood.

The Argao local government confirmed that most construction materials were sold out and consumers are grateful for their bringing commodities closer to the town.

“The Diskwento Caravan ensures the supply of basic necessities priced in accordance with or lower than the suggested retail prices,” said DTI 7 Director Ma. Elena Arbon.

Meanwhile, in a separate event, DTI Cebu also conducted a validation for typhoon-hit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program.

The PPG program is a livelihood seeding and entrepreneurship development program for micro-enterprises, with priority in areas affected by fire incidents and other calamities, including health disasters like outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics such as Covid-19 and the recent typhoon.

Qualified beneficiaries will receive Negosyo Kits worth P8,000 comprising various items or goods that they will use to restore or improve their business.

During the program, the Small Business Corp. (SBCorp.) also presented the Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing Program, a loan program specialized for MSMEs affected by Typhoon Odette.

“The program is open to all MSMEs operating in areas declared under a state of calamity due to the typhoon,” said SB Corp. Visayas Group head Francisco Buenavides.

Borrowers are further classified as existing borrowers of SBCorp., new borrowers and tourism MSMEs or borrowers in the tourism industry.

Buenavides said the maximum loanable amounts are P300,000 for new borrowers, P800,000 for existing borrowers and P5,000,000 for tourism MSMEs with low-interest rate and minimum requirements.