ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--As the country marks this year’s Consumer Welfare Month (CWM), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Lanao del Norte lined up activities to advocate for consumer protection in its area of jurisdiction.
DTI-Lanao del Norte Consumer Production Division Officer-in-Charge Ma. Lourdes Tiongco said the annual celebration of the CWM is under Proclamation No. 1098 series of 1997 by then President Fidel Ramos and for more than two decades now, this has continuously raised awareness on the basic rights and responsibilities of consumers, and the pressing issues that affect them.
“The celebration of CWM provides national attention on the role of consumers in the Philippine economy. It is also at this time that concerted efforts for consumer protection and welfare are discussed, planned, promoted, and carried out,” she said in the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) media briefing Tuesday, October 19.
With this year’s theme “Digital Consumers: A New Normal”, DTI-Lanao del Norte pushed a series of events in collaboration with the local government here through the LPCC, and other partner agencies to highlight digital consumers, especially in this time of global health crisis.
Among the activities already spearheaded were the CWM launching through the hanging of streamers on Negosyo Centers in the city and the province of Lanao del Norte, as well as the 2nd Online Diskwento Caravan participated by 20 retailers and manufacturers which served 18 barangays, benefited 442 households, and generated a total of P303,814-income. Further, a media briefing was conducted, as well as the Heading Online options for Protecting consumers and Enabling businesses (HOPE) webinar tackling product standards and Bagwis awards, and the 1st LPCC online retailers and vendors quiz.
More activities are set to come including the blogging contest and granting of Bagwis award this October 29 to recognize establishments that uphold consumer rights while practicing responsible business.
As various initiatives are held in line with this celebration, Tiongco stressed that DTI-Lanao del Norte is not just functioning during this month, rather it continuously does its jobs and responsibilities to inform consumers daily.
She maintained that they consistently conduct daily price monitoring to keep track of the supply situation of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) in markets and also to make sure that their prices are still within the suggested retail prices (SRPs).
Tiongco added that the implementation of the Safety Seal Certification Program is carried on wherein establishments applying for safety seal are inspected while barangay awareness is initiated to give lectures on different consumer responsibilities and the Price Act.
DTI-Lanao del Norte Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Engr. Angelo Devero emphasized that it is in the Price Act where consumers will know they are protected and the implementing agencies for the price monitoring.
“Diri mahibaw-an nga dili lang si DTI ang nagbantay sa presyo sa basic necessities ug [We will know here that it is not only DTI that monitors the price of basic necessities and] prime commodities. There are other implementing agencies involved in ensuring that the supplies of this BNPC are stable and the prices are justifiable,” he said.
Devero said there are five implementing agencies monitoring the price movement of the BNPC, namely, DTI, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Energy (DOE). (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Norte)
