Eight out of 10 Filipinos know their consumer rights, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey. Data showed that level of consumer awareness for the month of September was recorded at 78 percent, the highest recorded since 2012 for the months of September.

“The result should not be a source of complacency, but instead a motivation to improve even more our service to our consumers,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, adding that recent findings are a good testament that DTI is on the right track in fulfilling its mandate.

Respondents in the same survey were asked whether or not prices of basic goods like canned fish and bread have been reasonable so far.

In September 2015, only 32 percent found the price of canned fish reasonable. This figure rose to 41 percent in September 2016. There was also notable increase in the percentage finding the price of bread reasonable from 34 percent in September 2015 to 49 percent in September 2016. For all months of September since 2012, this year’s figures have been the highest recorded percentages.

“The challenge is for us to continue the momentum, if not improve the positive trajectory,” said Sec. Lopez.

An average of 73 percent of respondents also said that products and services available in the market today are safe, according to the same survey.

The DTI has been commissioning Pulse Asia to monitor public perception on prices, and safety standards, as well as level of consumer awareness since 2012 as part of the Ulat sa Bayan survey. Survey period was from September 25 to October 1, with a margin of error of +/- 3 % at the national level, at 95% confidence level.