The Department of Trade and Industry, through its Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB), began conducting its series of webinars and web info sessions last 25 June 2020, as one of its advocacy initiatives under “The New Normal” in the midst of the community quarantine.
Dubbed as “Consumer Care Webinar Series”, this online initiative aims to apprise the general public on various DTI issuances, such as Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-12: Guidelines on the Concessions on Residential Rents and Commercial Rents; MC No. 20-29: Supplemental Guidelines on the Concessions on Residential Rents and Commercial Rents; MC No. 20-31: Amendment to Supplemental Guidelines on the Concessions on Residential Rents and Commercial Rents; Memorandum Circular No. 20-30: Guidelines on Refund of Payments Made for Events Affected by the State of Public Health Emergency, MC No. 20-37: Guidelines on the Implementation of Minimum Health Protocols for Dine-in Services of Restaurants and Fastfood Establishments and other circulars in relation to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Further, as one of the programs of the Consumer Protection Group, this webinar provides an avenue for the participants to have their queries answered by the DTI officials, presenters, and invited speakers.
Based on the data from the previous sessions conducted last 25 June, 30 June, 02-03 July, 07 July, and 09 July, 14 July, and 16 July, 42.02% of the registered participants are from the DTI while 57.98% are consumers, and representatives from other government offices, and the private sector. Meanwhile, based on the client satisfactory feedback results, 1,180 of the 1,574 participants were very satisfied with the webinar sessions.
Since the country is still under the State of Public Emergency and quarantine measures are still in effect, the DTI is utilizing all available platforms to reach out to the public. After eight (8) successful webinars, the DTI-CPAB is set to run other sessions in the coming weeks covering the topics on Deceptive Sales Act and Practices, e-Commerce, Data Privacy, Online Learning, among others.
To participate in the succeeding webinars, consumers are advised to regularly check the DTI Consumer Care Facebook page for more information and updates.
The CPAB notes that even prior to the COVID-19 outbreak consumer and business education in barangays and establishments, were organized to heighten the level of consumer awareness particularly on consumer rights and responsibilities and relevant policies.
“We encourage everyone to take part in these webinars which provide a free avenue for your concerns on specific DTI policies and guidelines”, DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo underscores.
For consumer-related concerns and queries, you may send an email to ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph or reach us thru the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline.♦
Date of Release: 24 July 2020