The said assembly was attended by relevant sectors in the region such as the consumer organizations (Konsumo Digos, Konsumo Lupon, Konsumo Tagum, Konsumo Mati, Samal City Consumers Association, Kapalong Consumers Association, and Consumers Action for a Sustainable and Healthy Lifestyle, etc.), local government units (LGUs), youth sector (Sanggunian Kabataan/ Student Groups), national government agencies (DOE-Davao and DOH-FDA Davao), and the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

 

Various issues were discussed during the assembly such as the enforcement of the consumer protection laws, ban on substandard imported products, formulation of policies in the LGU level, and consumer participation.

 

Best practices, on the other hand, were also presented including the programs and projects initiated by the consumer organizations, consumer protection measures such as the price billboard and Timbangan ng Bayan in public markets, centralized slaughterhouse for livestock, and the deployment of Task Force Bantay Karne.

 

Tagum City LGU shared their consumer welfare efforts like the passage of a resolution to ban the use of magic sugar as sweetener in juices sold near school campuses. Magic sugar or sodium cyclamate is an artificial sweetener known to be harmful to person’s health.

 

Aside from legislation, Tagum City government also granted financial support to the local consumer group Konsumo Tagum to sustain its effort in advocating consumer rights and protection.

 

The consumer issues and best practices discussed during the regional assembly will be presented to the National Consumer Assembly to be held in Manila this coming October as part of the Consumer Welfare Month series of activities.