Digos City, Philippines — In a bid to engage more stakeholders in advocating for consumer awareness and education, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) gathered representatives from national government agencies, business establishments, and other stakeholders in a series of forums in celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month from 25 to 29 October, 2024.

DTI Davao del Sur Provincial Director Maria Victoria Placer welcomed participants to the NGAs, Stakeholders & Bes Forum organized by the DTI-DS Consumer Protection Division.

The participants which include national government agencies, supermarkets, grocery stores, and convenience stores, hardware stores, appliance and home improvement dealers all attended separate batches discussing the relevant fair trade laws, such as the Consumer Act, Price Act, Product Standards Law, and the Price Tag Law.

The presentations were followed by a consultative session, during which important feedback was gathered and consumer-related needs were solicited from the business establishments and other stakeholders.

Among the concerns and needed interventions gathered were requests for basic consumer awareness seminars, free assessment and certifications in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), consumer education drive in schools, and capacity building for employees on consumer awareness and entrepreneurship.

“This is the first time that we have done a series of forums and consultations specifically for consumer protection and advocacy,” DTI Davao del Sur Provincial Director Maria Victoria Placer said.

“Through the years, we have always engaged our stakeholders in our planning process. We put prime importance on empowering the stakeholders and design programs and activities that are truly responsive to their needs,” she added.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1098, series of 1997, October is celebrated every year as Consumer Welfare Month to promote consumer awareness and disseminate consumer information to both public and private sectors on policies and programs affecting consumer welfare. ♦

Date of release: 08 November 2024

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