DTI positions Cagayan as Region 2 ICT hub

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is positioning Cagayan as a progressive Information Communications Technology (ICT) hub with the creation of the provincial ICT council.

DTI, with the help of other agencies, formed the Cagayan Development Foundation for Information Technology (CADF-IT). The council is expecting to create a business environment that is conducive to the ICT industry.

The council will likewise prepare a highly qualified pool of talents through focused human intervention.

With the council in place, Cagayan is expected to be a progressive ICT destination in the country.

The council is comprised of industry players from the academe, non-government organizations and relevant national government agencies.

Meanwhile, the DTI through its Certified Establishment or CE Program will give due recognition to businesses who aspire for excellence by encouraging adherence to fair trade laws.

Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila emphasized that the CE program is anchored on DTI’s commitment to protect the consuming public from unscrupulous businessmen and trade malpractices.

“DTI regularly monitors compliance of industries to Fair Trade Laws (FTLs) and other related policies, including the Consumer Act, Price Act, Price Tag Law and Standards Law. Through this initiative, we assure the public that there are establishments that are consumer-friendly. On the other hand, the CE seal, shows businesses that indeed their efforts are recognized,” Favila explained.

Business establishments in the provinces of Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Zambales and Aurora in Region 3 recorded the most number of DTI certified stores nationwide.

For consumers, the CE seals will enable them to identify stores that offer quality goods at reasonable prices and provide efficient service to help them make wise buying choices and get value for their money.

The DTI-CE program was launched in 2006 and is open to all retail establishments, supermarkets, department stores, appliance centers, hardware stores, specialty stores and LPG dealers, and DTI-accredited service and repair shops.