THE micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Zamboanga Peninsula affected by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic continue to receive assistance through the Diskwento Caravan (Rolling Stores) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
DTI OIC-regional director Ceferino Rubio said the Diskwento Caravan, which is now on its seventh week, is being rolled out by the agency’s provincial offices in this city, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Rubio said the conduct of Diskwento Caravan is in convergence with the Kadiwa on Wheels (Mobile Market) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
He said they tapped the retailers to include the MSMEs with their food and non-food products while the DA brought in the agri-fishery producers.
The DTI officials said the conduct of the Diskwento Caravan provide the MSMEs the opportunity to bring in their products to the marginalized areas, thus, also giving the consumers the product preference because of accessibility, availability, and affordability.
He added that a large number of MSMEs have been forced to stop operations since the enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine have been implemented due to Covid-19.
Rubio has assured the MSMEs that the Diskwento Caravan will continue to roll out in various areas in partnership with DA.
He said it is to ensure that not only basic necessities and prime commodities along with fresh agri-fishery produce are being accessed at reasonable prices throughout the quarantine period, but also the products of MSMEs are being showcased at a very affordable price. (SunStar Zamboanga)