Makati City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spearheads the annual Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) this October with the theme “Be Smart, Assert Your Consumer Rights.” This month-long celebration seeks to empower Filipino consumers to be informed, assertive, and active market participants.

The DTI’s Fair Trade Group (FTG), along with regional and provincial offices, has launched a series of initiatives centered on the Eight Basic Consumer Rights.

“Consumers hold immense power in the marketplace. By understanding and asserting their rights, they can shape their lives and create a fairer system for everyone,” said FTG Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Agaton O. Uvero.

“This Consumer Welfare Month, we invite the public, businesses, government, and academia to join us in championing consumer rights and building a more equitable economy,” Assistant Secretary Uvero added.

This year’s CWM celebration started with a hybrid dance fitness session, joined by different government agencies, to showcase the value of a healthy and active lifestyle for smart consumers.

This will be followed by a series of activities, including Diskwento Caravans, Certified Products Market, contests, seminars, and fora.

The DTI will also launch the CWM Konsyumer Panalo Promo, which will offer exclusive discounts at participating supermarkets, grocery stores, and appliance retailers to give consumers more value for their purchases.

Furthermore, the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau will conduct a public destruction and disposal of non-conforming products in the second week of October. This highlights product safety as a fundamental consumer right.

The 2024 CWM celebration will culminate with FTG’s Consumer Congress on October 24. This annual gathering brings together private and public sectors to strengthen collaboration and provide updates on the latest developments and challenges in consumer protection.

In addition to the CWM Celebration, the Bureau of Philippine Standards will mark its 50th National Standards Week from October 7 to 10. This will focus on Sustainable Development Goal 9, which seeks to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

For more information about the 2024 CWM activities, visit the DTI Consumer Care and Konsyumer Atbp (KATBP) Facebook pages or send an email to CPAB@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of release: 07 October 2024

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