To culminate this year’s celebration of Consumer Welfare Month, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Region 02 mounted the 10th Cagayan Valley Consumer Assembly on 26 October 2018 at the Piazza Zicarelli Hotel in Gamu, Isabela.

 

Aptly themed “Making Digital Marketplaces Fairer”, the forum aimed to heighten consumers’ awareness of their rights and to promote their welfare in this age of digital marketing.

 

Graced by DTI-CPG Asst. Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, as Keynote Speaker, the Assembly was highlighted by the awarding of Bagwis Seal of Excellence to Bagwis awardees and the recognition of winners in the Regional Poster Making Contest.

 

Meanwhile, a technical forum was held wherein relevant topics were discussed, namely, #TNKK (Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan, Konsumerismo) in the Digital Age, and Online Purchase Scams and Frauds, which were presented by Mr. Mark Joseph P. Panganiban, Executive Director of Digital Commerce Association of the Philippines and Atty. Gelacio D. Bongngat, Regional Director of NBI-CAVRO, respectively. Mr. Domingo R. Tolentino, Jr., Director of Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau also delivered a message to the participants.

 

Hon. Mayor Nestor M. Uy of LGU Gamu, Isabela, who delivered the welcome message, assured the DTI that the LGU will extend its support and cooperation in ensuring that consumer rights are protected. On his part, DTI-R2 OIC – RD Ruben B. Diciano expressed hope that digital marketing will be used as a platform to bridge economic players and not to exploit to serve personal interests. In this age of e-commerce or digital marketing, he said that, “business’s rights and consumers’ rights must be exercised in complementation.”

 

This year’s Consumer Assembly gathered 300 participants representing consumer organizations, private sector, academe, media partners and regional line agencies.