A MINI-MART in a tourist area in Olongapo City was recently accredited as a “Suking Tindahan” by the Department of Trade and Industry-Zambales Provincial Office (DTI Zambales). The store will be the first establishment to be accredited by DTI under the Suking Tindahan program.

Alma and Rosita Upchurch, the owners of Barretto Mini-Mart received a certification and a “Sulit at Risonableng Presyo” seal from DTI-Zambales provincial director Leonila Baluyut.

As a certified Suking Tindahan, the store is undertaking to sell at least 50 percent of all basic needs and prime commodities under the watch of DTI within the suggested retail price issued by the agency.

In the face of recent rise in inflation rate, the Suking Tindahan program of DTI was intensified this year to help mitigate the rising prices of basic goods and prime commodities in the country, especially in areas outside of the National Capital Region.

The move was made by DTI to help in providing affordable goods even to consumers not only in big groceries and supermarkets but also in smaller establishments like the Barretto Mini-Mart. Other Suking Tindahans are set to be launched in all provinces of the region before the year ends.

DTI regional director Judith Angeles said that the Suking Tindahan program will also help in making the smaller stores in the region follow consumer laws, as they will be visited, briefed and monitored by DTI personnel.

She added that the DTI is intensifying its monitoring of the prices and supply of grocery items, especially Noche Buena products this Christmas season.

Angeles noted that the prices of these products have already stabilized as inflation rates and the prices of energy products have already rolled back in the past two months. (PR)