October Is Consumer Welfare Month

"Enforcing Consumer Rights Towards A Progressive Philippines" is the theme of the Consumers Welfare Month celebration this month of October. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the lead agency in the celebration.
According to DTI Regional Director Dominic P. Abad, his office has lined up celebration activities to be done in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras. Information campaign, briefing and lecture on fair trade laws and consumer rights and responsibilities in the different schools, federation of consumer associations and the local government units will be done. In Capiz, activities include market visits to Teodoro Trade Center and other municipalities, launching of price bulletin in the municipalities of Dao and Cuartero, lecture on consumerism for the LGUs and consumer associations as well as information campaign of the different fair trade laws for students of national high schools in Casananyan, Pilar Dulangan, Pilar San Nicolas, Pilar Hipona, and Pilar Dumulog, and Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion and Filamer College in Roxas City.
In Guimaras, dealers and retailers of manufactured products unite to conduct a consumer’s product fair at the capitol grounds. Operation "timbangan" will also be done in coordination with the LGU.
In Iloilo, the DTI Provincial Office in coordination with the Philippine Product Safety and Quality Foundation (PPSQF) and the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)-Iloilo Chapter, will conduct the Product Standards Expo at Robinsons Place on October 16-20, 2006. Highlight of the fair is the launching of the DTI Certified Establishment (CE) Program on the 16th.
The DTI-CE is a program designed to give due recognition to establishments that uphold the rights of consumers and practice responsible business where consumers get value for their money. It aims to promote and foster the highest level of business ethics and uphold a fair and honest marketplace through voluntary self-regulation and service excellence. A DTI-CE seal and a certificate will be given to deserving supermarkets, department stores, appliance centers, hardware stores and DTI accredited service and repair shops, that pass the evaluation. Three levels of awards will be given which are bronze, silver and gold.
The celebration of Consumer Welfare Month is in line with Presidential Proclamation No. 1098 dated September 26, 1997 by former President Fidel V. Ramos, which declares the month of October of every year as Consumer Welfare Month. The DTI urges everyone to be vigilant. As the saying goes, "A well informed and vigilant consumer is the best protected consumer." (Ruby M. melliza/DTI-6) /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com