DAVAO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Region 11 has continued to partner with private organizations in a bid to protect consumers further.
The agency inked recently a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with EMCOR, Inc., a homegrown appliance company operating in Mindanao, Visayas, and Palawan for over six decades. The partnership aims to provide a readily accessible consumer-related information desk known as “Consumer Corner”.
The Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, ensures the protection of consumers, as well as the promotion of their general welfare and the establishment of a standard of conduct for business and industry. With this, DTI 11 bolsters the law’s adoption and implementation by forging ties with different private companies.
DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi noted that through the years, consumer protection is confronted with different challenges.
“In this day and age wherein numerous brick and mortar stores and digital marketplaces both exist, consumers are faced with greater challenges. They may have varying experiences when it comes to finding truthful, accurate, advertisement and promotion, getting access to quality and safe products, fair and honest treatment on the relationship of parties in a consumer transaction, and redress,” she said.
The local trade chief added that the DTI, which is one of the consumer champions, implements measures to provide information and education to facilitate sound choice and the proper exercise of consumer rights.
In the meantime, Ambi explained that the setting-up of Consumer Corner in business establishments is fueled by their commitment to conducting programs and activities that will reinforce the promotion and strengthening of consumer welfare and protection.
“EMCOR, Inc., a business that started here in Davao City, is recognized as an establishment that is driven by its vision to deliver continuous innovation and great customer service; hence, the organization became the DTI’s partner in the said efforts subject to applicable laws and regulations,” Ambi shared.
She explained that this project supports the agency’s strategic objective, which is to increase the consumers’ level of awareness by providing them with information related to their rights, responsibilities, and protection under the law.
Apart from Ambi, DTI 11 Assistant Regional Director Delia M. Ayano was also a signatory. Meanwhile, EMCOR Inc. president and chief operating officer Nelson M. Aparejo and senior vice president for operation Guilbert R. Olbez signed the MOA on behalf of the company. Following the signing, the Mommy Mili standee was unveiled. This customized promo collateral will contain DTI information materials on different consumer laws and programs, such as the consumer rights and responsibilities, “No return, no exchange” policy, labeling requirements, online securitips, suggested retail price (SRP), price tag, warranty, and Product Standard (PS) mark and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC), among others.
In addition to the standee unveiled at EMCOR’s main store in Bajada, Davao City, additional three standees were unveiled and filled in with various information materials at their Agdao, San Pedro, and Toril branches, making it a total of four standees of EMCOR, Inc. as of July 21 this year. ♦
Date of Release: 10 August 2022