The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to resume its discount caravan this year to help consumers cope with rising prices and ease the impact of inflation on household budgets.

DTI Consumer Protection Division chief Dominador Alberto confirmed this in an interview on Wednesday saying the annual caravan is expected to roll out in the upcoming weeks to bring participating businesses and discounted products closer to consumers across the province.

“Through the Diskwento Caravan, we will be providing opportunities for families to purchase essential goods at prices lower than prevailing market rates,” he said.

The caravan provides consumers with access to selected products at reduced prices, allowing families to stretch their budgets while purchasing items they need.

The program also complements government efforts such as the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program to keep prices of basic and essential goods within reasonable levels.

In time for the upcoming Yuletide season, the DTI also noted an intensified monitoring of market conditions particularly on the prices of basic commodities in supermarkets.

As of September, the country’s inflation rate increased to 7.2 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

While a discount caravan cannot address all causes of inflation, it can provide short-term relief to consumers by offering lower prices on selected products, the DTI said. (PNA)