ILOILO City – As part of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration this October, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Western Visayas calls on consumers to “Be Smart, Assert Your Consumer Rights!” in line with this year’s theme.
The initiative seeks to raise awareness about consumer rights as enshrined in the Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.
DTI Region 6 emphasizes eight fundamental consumer rights, which all consumers should be aware of:
1. Right to Basic Needs – Access to essential goods and services, including food, shelter, healthcare, education, public utilities, water, and sanitation.
2. Right to Safety – Protection against goods or services that could endanger health or life. Consumers are encouraged to check product labels for precautions, expiration dates, and safety marks like the Philippine Standard (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).
3. Right to Information – Access to accurate information to make informed choices. Consumers should read product labels and be aware of handling instructions and the manufacturer’s details.
4. Right to Choose – The freedom to select from a variety of goods and services at competitive prices. Consumers are advised to compare prices and quality before making purchases.
5. Right to Representation – The ability to express consumer interests in the development and enforcement of government policies. Consumers can participate in public hearings related to consumer issues.
6. Right to Redress – The right to compensation for defective goods or unsatisfactory services. Consumers can approach Consumer Welfare Desks to request refunds, replacements, or repairs.
7. Right to Consumer Education – The right to acquire knowledge and skills to make informed decisions. Consumers are encouraged to attend seminars, read relevant materials, and stay informed about their rights.
8. Right to a Healthy Environment – The right to live in a safe and sustainable environment. Both consumers and businesses are urged to practice environmental responsibility, including waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
According to DTI Region 6 information officer Judy Mae Sajo, this year’s theme is timely, given the increasing volume of transactions, both online and offline.
Sajo stressed the importance of consumers being informed and proactive in asserting their rights to protect themselves from unfair practices and defective products.
“Consumers must be smart and aware of their rights to effectively protect themselves from defective products and unfair practices,” Sajo said in an interview with Panay News.
She also noted that most businesses in the region comply with consumer rights by maintaining consumer welfare desks to handle concerns, particularly on product returns and exchanges, which are usually resolved satisfactorily.
To protect consumer rights, DTI advises the public to:
* Focus on product quality, not just brand or quantity
* Read labels and warnings before purchasing
* Compare prices and quality
* Attend public hearings on consumer issues
* Approach Consumer Welfare Desks for complaints or defective products
* Practice the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
DTI Region 6 and its provincial offices have lined up activities from September 30 to October 31 to promote consumer rights.
A province-wide price and supply monitoring of candles and flowers will also be conducted on October 30 and 31 in preparation for All Saints’ Day.
“We invite everyone to participate in our activities at DTI regional and provincial offices to remind ourselves of our rights and responsibilities as consumers,” Sajo said./PN
