The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as a member of the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP), conducted the Consumer Empowerment Index Survey in 2020 to assess the level of consumer empowerment of Filipino consumers nationwide.
The ASEAN Consumer Empowerment Index (ACEI) is under the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan on Consumer Protection (ASAPCP) 2016-2025 which aims to gather information directly from ASEAN consumers to get an overview of the national level of consumer empowerment in each ASEAN Member States. The ACEI survey is composed of questions intended to test the knowledge of consumers about basic consumer rights and responsibilities, consumer laws, and their ability to make informed decisions and to know their buying behavior.
Based on the ACEI 2020 report, a total of 7,185 respondents across all Member States participated in the survey. Scoring a total of 82.9 out of 130, the first ACEI stands at 63.7% meaning consumers across the region, on an average are moderately empowered.
The ACEI country survey was successfully facilitated by the DTI Consumer Protection Group (CPG)’s Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau in coordination with its Regional Operations Group gathering a total of 1,010 responses. The survey was administered through the conduct of face-to-face interviews and through online dissemination of the survey to reach consumers residing in the remote parts of the country. The ACEI county survey was conducted from January 2020 to March 2020.
Based on the ACEI Philippine survey, Filipino consumers are moderately empowered scoring 90 out of 130 questions in all three domains. On the consumer awareness category, the data shows that respondents were highly aware of their consumer rights and business obligations; however, they have low awareness level on the various consumer advocacy and other education programs.
Meanwhile, consumers scored highest in identifying deceptive business practices and unfair contracts but scored lowest in comparing products (price, terms and conditions, and label) before making a purchase. Lastly, the survey results on the consumer behavior category show that Filipinos are assertive in seeking redress regarding their complaints.
“The DTI is pleased about the ACEI 2020 results yet we do take note of the areas where the DTI needs to improve on. The department shall maximize the available platforms to reach out to more consumers and deepen their awareness on programs created and operated for them for their protection”, CPG Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo asserts.
The ACEI survey report can be accessed here.
For consumer-related concerns and queries, you may send an email to CPAB@dti.gov.ph or reach us thru the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline. ♦
Date of Release: 26 February 2021