BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured the consuming public of sufficient, safe, quality, and affordable food items as the Yuletide Season is fast approaching.

Along with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the DA also assured consumers that prices of prime commodities will be thoroughly checked every now and then in all public markets, malls, and groceries throughout the key cities in the region.

As the lead agency in the celebration of this year’s “Consumer Welfare Month,” the DA also lined up several programs for the welfare of consumers and for the event’s successful celebration.

In a statement, Ms. Lynn Pareñas, chief of DA-Caraga Crops Division, said the DA office in the Caraga Region continues to campaign for a safe, quality, and affordable food items for all by ensuring the quality of food production in the farms of the region.

“DA is also promoting organic agriculture to farmers for them to engage into the natural way of farming. Thus, the DA is providing training to farmers to orient them on how to go about the organic farming and improve their skills. We also promote quality vegetables to the youth,” said Pareñas.

On the other hand, DA’s Agri-business Marketing Assistance Division officer-in-charge Servilla Balaan emphasized that the general public should know their rights as consumers because a well-informed consumer is the best protected consumer.

Balaan further said Republic Act (RA) 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines is the policy of the State in order to protect the interests of the consumers, promote their general welfare, and to establish standards of conduct for the business and industry.

In another development, Mindanao products will be seen at the World Trade Center in Pasay City next week.

Mindanao ONE is a showcase of the country’s second largest island’s abundance.

Mindanao ONE is supported by PhilExport, the Mindanao Development Authority, the Export Development Council, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Science and Technology, the Center of International Trade and Expositions, the United States Agency for International Development through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, and other business groups.

The event will also feature Mindanao’s top eco-tourism destinations, and investment opportunities in the various sub-regions.

Mindanao ONE will also focus on the region’s expanding service sectors, which include healthcare and wellness, information technology and communications, energy, tourism, and transportation.

Region 13 office of the Department of Trade and Industry Director Brielgo O. Pagaran said the event will present the “best” products in Mindanao from October 14 to 17, this year.

It was learned that products to be featured at the expo range from finely crafted and environmentally-friendly wood, leather, fiber, and textile items to agri-marine products, and electronics.

Pagaran said governors, mayors, lawmakers, and other local officials and business leaders from the various cities and provinces in the regions in Mindanao are also attending the expo to showcase the products.