EDITORIAL

Consumer Welfare 

Is Getting The Money’s Worth

by Ernesto T. Solidum

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the directorship of Engr. Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. celebrated Consumer Welfare month with a provincial forum on October 30, 2012 at Bel’s Garden, Tigayon, Kalibo. Atty. Diego M. Luces, Provincial Administrator represented Gov. Carlito S. Marquez. Ms. Malou Lachica, Private Secretary represented Mayor William S. Lachica to the forum.

“Get Organized So We Could Be Heard and be Empowered” is the theme. Five delegations of Consumer Organizations from Numancia, Madalag, Balete, Altavas and Kalibo were represented and actively participated in the open forum after speakers finished their power point presentations. Ms. Merlin Aborka, DENR discussed Climate Change and Global Warming while Ms. Mabel Concepcion, Food and Drugs Administration Officer, DOH talked on Eight Basic Consumer Rights. 

DTI is implementing the Consumer Act of the Philippines or RA 7394 to deter spurious, unsafe and illegal business transactions. Specifically covered are consumer product quality and safety, deception, unfair and unconscionable sales, acts and practices, weights and measures, consumer products and service warranties, price tag, labeling and packaging, liability for products and services, service and repair shops and advertising and sales promotion. Each violation has corresponding administrative and criminal sanctions.

Support and coordinating agencies are Department of Agriculture to monitor agricultural products on quality and safety, labeling and packaging. DepEd to manage consumer education and information. Department of Health covers food, drugs, cosmetics and devices and hazardous substances. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas handles consumer credit transactions extended by banks and LGU to implement legislation on weights and measures and regulation on agriculture and fishery products.

These agencies compose the National Consumer Affairs Council (NCAC) tasked to improve the management, coordination and effectiveness of government agencies and NGO’s. 

The forum speakers strongly advised the consumers to be vigilant of their rights and responsibilities under the law. There are eight basic consumer rights which are: 1) basic need, 2) safety, 3) information, 4) choice, 5) representation, 6) redress, 7) consumer education, and 8) healthy environment. Equally important are five consumer responsibilities which are 1) critical awareness, 2) action, 3) social concerns, 4) environmental awareness and 5) solidarity.

Engr. Cadena is very emphatic about the need for familiarization about rules and regulations of RA 7394 since people are protected only if they don’t allow themselves to be duped or shortchanged. Lodging of complaints for any violation of consumer rights follows a simple procedure that includes identifying the problems, presenting documents like official receipt, purchase order bringing problem (defective merchandise) direct to seller or supervisor for amicable settlement and or writing formal letter of complaint addressed to business establishment copy furnished concerned agency like BFAD, NTC, DTI, DOH and DA. Remedies available are administrative proceedings and in worse scenario filing of civil or criminal case. Buyers get their moneys’ worth in terms of satisfactory services or goods sellers or traders offer like 20 percent discount for senior citizen and disabled persons, Cadena pointed out.

Atty. Luces advised consumer organizations to commit themselves to continue education by attending meetings and consumer fora in order to achieve empowerment. It is welcome development that DTI is very active in price monitoring and reporting especially of prime commodities.

Ms. Aborka revealed that 1,244 hectares of open forest land need to be planted for the month of November in 16 barangays of Madalag, Libacao, Tangalan, Ibajay, Nabas and Buruanga. This is part of provincial DENR’s target under the National Greening Program. The shortage of personnel hampers DENR. Hence, the need of deputizing Brgy. Captain to stem the widespread cutting down of trees in open forest areas for fuelwood and charcoal. Checkpoints manned by elements of PNP, DENR have been activated in strategic areas of Ibajay, Tangalan, Nabas and Libacao. This cutting of trees threatens the stability of our forest ecosystem. But the problem boils down to lack of livelihood or alternative source of income decried the lady Forester.

Ms. Deana G. Ruiz of DTI facilitated the business meeting and action planning of some 50 participants, majority of them is small businessmen, local officials and senior citizens. /MP