DAVAO CITY – Initially launched in Makilala, North Cotabato on November 6, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in partnership with the local government units (LGU) of Davao del Sur and local Chambers of Commerce in Davao Region will stage a follow-through MinDA Tienda activity in the earthquake-affected municipalities of Davao del Sur.

It will be installed in Bansalan, Davao del Sur on November 14-16 and Digos City on November 21-23, the proposed initiative will prevent sellers from taking advantage of the crisis by selling basic commodities and food items at exponentially overpriced rates.

“Commodities reportedly being sold at about double or triple the original price are grocery items, vegetables, as well as poultry and fish products,” said MinDA Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol.

The activity aims to offer affordable products sourced directly from local retail chains, suppliers, manufacturers and producers.

“In order to stabilize the prices of the aforementioned commodities, the MinDA Tienda project will coordinate directly with bulk suppliers and producers of key products to bring them over to identified disaster areas, and provide a display and selling area under one location in coordination with the partner LGU with a minimal mark-up compared to prevailing rates,” added Secretary Piñol.

This time, MinDA partnered with NCCC subsidiaries such as Supermarket, Department Store, and Hardware Maxx to conduct off store selling of basic goods and commercial items using NCCC-Davao’s Suggested Retail Price in the Tienda.

“MinDA will invite additional suppliers for fish, vegetables, and poultry products,” he said.

This is the second leg of MinDA’s initiative to assist the earthquake victims by offering affordable products sourced directly from local retail chains, suppliers, manufacturers and producers.