MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA)--To keep the media, consumers, and entrepreneurs updated on fair trade laws, including Executive Order No. 39 (EO 39), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bukidnon held early this week a media briefing cum press conference to mark the Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) celebration in the country.

Provincial Director Famelah Racquel Villanueva of DTI-Bukidnon reported that 303 micro rice retailers in Bukidnon have each received a one-time subsidy of P15,000 through the Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy (SLP-ERS).

She said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has disbursed over P4.5 million in cash assistance to rice retailers here who have been affected by Executive Order No. 39 issued by the President.

Under EO 39, the mandated price ceiling on regular milled rice is set at P41 per kilogram, while the well-milled rice is P45.

"The government provided the SLP-ERS financial assistance to aid those small rice retailers grappling with the repercussions of price ceilings and freezing rice prices in the country," Villanueva said. 

Though the government announced the lifting of EO 39 implementation on October 4, it vows to continue finding ways to reduce rice production costs.

The 7Rs for sustainability

Meanwhile, Villanueva explained that the CWM aims to bring out the value of responsible consumption and ecologically friendly lifestyles to foster authentic and lasting change.

"This year's Consumer Welfare Month focuses on the theme 'GenS: Generation Sustainable.' Thus, we encourage consumers to fulfill their responsibility to safeguard the environment by embracing sustainable lifestyles. This approach helps conserve resources and minimizes waste," she said.

Villanueva reiterated that in line with the CWM theme, consumers should practice the 7Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, and Repair.

Throughout the month, the DTI will hold activities aligned with the 7Rs to help create interest and awareness on Sustainable Consumption and Production.

In addition, a wide range of affordable manufactured goods will be up for grabs as the DTI continues to hold the Diskwento Caravan in the province. 

Other activities include webinars, monitoring, laboratory visits, quiz bee, Zumba, seminars, poster-making contests, and awarding of Bagwis Seals, among other events. 

Consumer Welfare Month serves as a pivotal annual event, emphasizing the rights and well-being of consumers. It is a platform to create awareness and understanding about the importance of responsible consumption, the protection of consumer rights, and the role of businesses and the government in protecting consumers from unfair practices. (JSAchacoso-GIP/PIA 10/Bukidnon)