CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The conferring of Bagwis award to outstanding business establishments is one of the strategies of the government to protect the interest of consumers and promote their general welfare, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10.

This was emphasized by lawyer Fel Lester Brillantes, chief of DTI-10's Consumer Protection Division, during the Regional Bagwis Awarding on October 24, 2023, at the Mallberry Suites and Business Hotel.

He said that the Bagwis Award was first launched in 2006 and was then known as the DTI-Certified Establishments program covering retail establishments. But over the years, the program has expanded its coverage to include supermarkets, grocery stores, department stores, specialty stores, appliance centers, hardware stores, convenience stores, and DTI-accredited service and repair shops.

To qualify for the award, Brillantes said the establishments are evaluated based on various factors, including their compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, such as the Consumer Act and the Price Act, among others. 

"We also checked the effectiveness of consumer relations services, efficient store management operations, exemplification of social commitment and responsibility, and established quality management system requirements, among others," he added.

Brillantes said that since 2019, over 200 establishments have received the Bagwis seal. This year, 88 establishments became Bagwis awardees, comprising 59 bronze seal awardees, 22 silver seal awardees, and seven gold seal awardees.

Aside from the entitlement to use the DTI Bagwis logo, Brillantes said that bearers of the Bagwis seal enjoy several benefits, including enrichment of the establishments' reputation and credibility. It also serves as an assurance to customers that the establishment complies with fair trade laws.

Because of the impact of the Bagwis program on promoting the welfare of consumers, local government units are also acknowledging the importance of the program.

In Iligan City, Brillantes said the city government issued City Ordinance 17-6629, giving fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to Bagwis-awarded establishments. (APB/PIA-10)