CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--A total of 88 business establishments in Northern Mindanao received the Bagwis Seal of Excellence this year from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10 for upholding the rights of consumers and practicing responsible business where consumers get the best value for money.

DTI-10 Regional Director Ermedio Abang said the Bagwis awarding is part of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration to give tribute to business establishments that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to fair trade laws and consumer welfare

"This year, we are proud to recognize 88 establishments in the region. This is 26% more than the establishments we awarded in 2022. This means that business establishments continue to upgrade their services to better cater to customers' needs," he said.

Bagwis has three levels of awards - Gold, Silver and Bronze. The Bronze Award is given to establishments that are compliant with the Fair Trade Laws and have established Consumer Welfare Desks or equivalent Customer Relations Offices inside the establishments.

The Silver Award is bestowed on establishments that achieve the requirements for the Bronze Award coupled with its Social Responsibility program.

The highest award, the Amazing Gold Bagwis Seal, is given to establishments compliant with Fair Trade Laws, established Consumer Welfare Desks or an equivalent Customer Relations Offices, have an existing Social Responsibility Program, and have a business-established quality management system.

Of the 88 establishments awarded, 59 received the bronze seal, 22 got the silver, and seven were gold seal awardees.

The bearers of the golden Bagwis seal are Gold awardees Emcor Incorporated and DBC Machineries Corporation, both from Iligan City; Robinsons Supermarket Corporation in Ozamiz City; North-Min Auto Dealership Inc - Isuzu in Cagayan de Oro City, Gaisano Grand (Supermarket) in Gingoog City, Cham’s Convenience Store - Bugo Branch in Cagayan de Oro City, and Princity Inc / Prince Town in Gingoog City.

The recognition will last for three years, and then afterward, they will be re-evaluated if they maintain their compliance with the criteria.

Winners of the Bagwis are proud of the recognition citing the Bagwis seal as an indication of the excellent quality of their products, services, and business practices.

"We will remain steadfast in our commitment to the principles of integrity, quality, and customer satisfaction. We will use this recognition as a motivation to continually improve and innovate, ensuring that our products and services not only meet but exceed the expectations of our valued customers," said Kevin Magsisi, the operations manager of Wizmaster Computer Sales and Services, a Silver Bagwis awardee. (APB/PIA-10)