The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Antique provincial office is urging parents and learners to avail of the “Balik Eskwela Diskwento” promotion as they prepare for school opening.

DTI Antique provincial director Mutya Eusores said in an interview Wednesday the promotional activity kicked off Wednesday and was participated in by four major stores in the capital town of the province.

These stores offered 5 to 10 percent discounts on school supplies such as ballpens, pad papers, and notebooks.

“The Balik Eskwela Diskwento is held to provide relief to consumers who will be buying school supplies needed for the school opening,” Eusores said.

She said aside from discounted school supplies, participating stores offer freebies such as one ballpen for every purchase of three notebooks.

Participating stores Antique City Square, BEY Enterprise, Gian’s Enterprises, and Unitop General Merchandise have streamers outside their establishments, while price tags of discounted supplies are displayed inside the stores.

While there are private schools that started classes for the school year 2024-2025 earlier, public schools will have their first day of school on July 29.

Eusores said they have ongoing price monitoring for establishments that did not join the in-store promo to ensure compliance with the DTI price guide.

“There are eight stores in San Jose de Buenavista and 20 others outside of the capital town that are being monitored by the DTI,” she said.

The DTI conducts weekly monitoring of stores in San Jose de Buenavista and monthly for those outside the capital town.

The back-to-school promo will run until July 21. (PNA)