In recognition of the need to foster
consumer welfare and protection by ensuring and protecting consumer rights, the
Department of Trade and Industry - Davao
del Norte Provincial Office recently took the forefront in the move to
strengthen consumer organizations in the province.
Eyed as a vehicle in championing
consumer protection and empowerment, these consumer organizations are composed
of leaders from different civil organizations, sectoral associations, local
government representatives and the public in general. Its primary advocacy is
to push for the creation of local policies that would benefit the consuming
public. It also plays an important role in the implementation of various
consumer-related laws such as the Consumer Act and Price Act aside from serving
as a venue to better promote and disseminate information on consumer privileges
and responsibilities.
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| The officers and members of Konsumo Tagum, Inc. posed with DTI-Davao del Norte staff during the opening program of the Consumer Month Celebration. |
Several consumer empowerment activities
had already been conducted by DTI this
year particularly in the cities of IGaCoS and Tagum, in partnership with
consumer organizations, namely: the IGaCoS Consumer Association (ICA) and
Konsumo Tagum, which benefited 670 consumers composed of students, teachers,
and barangay officials.
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| The officers of IGaCoS Consumers Association during their annual assembly last March 2015. |
The Barangay Advocate for Consumer Education
and Empowerment (B-ACE) is among the activities conducted in partnership with
the consumer organizations. This program had been implemented since 2012 and
had since then helped educate and empower consumers in far flung barangays.
"We wanted to educate consumers in
the barangay level because we believe that those who attended our lectures can
pass the information to their neighbors, relatives and friends who will in turn
educate other people. This will enable them to become more involved and to make
informed social and environmental choices.”, DTI-Davao del Norte Consumer
Protection Services Division Chief Atty. Zerline T. Balleque said.
She also added that the agency has also
conducted several consumer education lectures in various private and public highschools
in the province in partnership with these consumer organizations.
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| A member of the IGaCoS Consumer Association (ICA) conducted a lecture on consumer rights to the highschool students of Island Garden City of Samal. |
Another initiative that the provincial
office conducted in partnership with consumer organizations is the Diskwento
Caravan, a public service activity of DTI which gathers medium to large retail
institutions to conduct a discount sales mission in various municipalities.
This is to provide opportunities to consumers in distant areas to access high
quality goods at a discounted price. Members and officers of the consumer
organization often serves as a harbinger in notifying the public for any
diskwento caravans that will be conducted in their area.
DTI - Davao del Norte is slated to
conduct more consumer empowerment activities such as those mentioned above
especially for the month of October which is dubbed as “Consumer Welfare
Month”. All of these will also be in collaboration with consumer organizations.
The agency targets to form more
consumer organizations in the province for this year and the next.
"It is our aim to have consumer
organizations in the 11 municipalities of Davao del Norte." Romeo L.
Castañaga, Officer in Charge of DTI-Davao del Norte revealed.
"We in the DTI believe that by
letting the public become more involved, they themselves become advocates of
educating and empowering their fellow consumers." Castañaga added.
