ILOILO City – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Iloilo encourages Ilonggos to patronize local products instead of imported ones when doing their holiday shopping.
Buying locally manufactured goods is one way to help local producers and the local economy, said Judith Degala, DTI-Iloilo director.
“Daku ang aton contribution as consumers kon gina-patronize naton ang aton locally manufactured products because nagabulig kita nga maka-survive ang local business. And as they survive, they also generate employment sa aton mga pumuluyo,” said Degala.
For two years now, local businesses are suffering from the adverse economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Sales are low. Because people’s movements are restricted, shoppers are scarce.
“Let us help each other. This is the time when Ilonggos should be really helping each other. Ang gamay nga bulig sa kada isa kon tingubon mo, daku na ina nga butang,” said Degala. “Buy local, patronize our own and help improve our economy.”
She also reiterated DTI’s advice to the public to shop for Noche Buena products as early as possible to avoid the holiday rush.
“Tuig-tuig nagahambal kita kon pwede pa lang kon may budget magbakal kita sang aton kinahanglanon for Noche Buena as early as we can to avoid ginutok sa mga malls,” Degala said.
There is still a pandemic and physical distancing must be observed, she stressed.
“Kon damu tawo sa malls, sa supermarket kabudlay mag-maintain physical distancing,” Degala said.
The DTI-Iloilo director also stressed the importance of consumer vigilance. Consumers have the right to choose and have the right to information on the products they are buying.
“How can we exercise our right to information and the right to choose kon naga-rush ka na sa pamili? Kun ano na lang da mapulot mo kuhaon mo na lang. There are so many products in the market nga pwede pilian. The reason nga damu sia is because sang aton right nga magpili sang gusto ta,” said Degala./PN
