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DTI-13 conducts consumer education seminar for media
by Lovely Laudette D. Gamba

Butuan City (4 July 2005) -- Bent on developing small medium enterprises and helping businessmen the Arroyo administration equally seeks to promote the general welfare of the consumers as contained in the Consumer Act. To this end the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a Consumer Education Seminar for Media at the Small Medium Enterprise Center at DTI-Agusan del Norte recently.

In recognition of the fact that people are consumers from birth to death, the department intensified their advocacy on Consumer Act, Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, Price Tag, Product Certification and Price Act. It also recognizes the important role of media as workers in disseminating information at all levels and believes that education, communication and information is an important tool in the realization of its goals.

The Consumer Act of the Philippines was enacted into law to establish the policy of the State of protecting the interest of the Filipino consumers, promote the general welfare and at the same time encourage business and industry to adopt fair standards of conduct.

Other topic discussed was the Consumer Rights and Responsibilities. Christina Dedel, Trade and Industry Development Specialist emphasized that the "No Return, No Exchange" policy does not anymore apply. Each consumer has a right to redress; any defective goods must either be replaced, repaired or refunded. Although DTI emphasizes the rights of the consumers, they also reminded them of their responsibilities as consumers. Each consumer must be critically aware, socially responsible among others", Dedel stressed.

The Price Act Law, the commodities under it and other pertinent information about the said law were also thoroughly discussed. Emphasized in the discussion is the government's capacity to implement Automatic Price Control (APC) and Mandated Price Control (MPC) in times of calamities and disasters to protect the consumers.

Myrna Luz Gavero, Señior Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI emphasized that not all consumer complaints are their concern because there are other agencies tasked to implement the Consumer Act. These agencies include the Department of Agriculture for agricultural products; Department of Education for consumer education and information; Department of Health for food, drugs, cosmetics and devices and hazardous substances; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for consumer credit transaction extended by banks and other financial intermediaries; and the Securities and Exchange Commission for the credit facilities extended to consumers by financing companies.

"DTI's main concern is regarding consumer product, quality and safety as well as deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales act and practices. Issues other than these regarding certain consumer products and services must be referred to the appropriate agency," Gavero explained. (PIA-13)

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