Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 joined several activities in celebration of 2021 Consumer Welfare month to continually champion consumer welfare promotion and development.
The celebration started with a virtual Zumba party, spearheaded by DTI-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG), enjoining the stakeholders and regional offices nationwide to support the health and wellness program of the government. Thereafter, a series of activities were conducted across the region, such as; online webinars on Fair Trade Laws and complaints’ handling, signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) forged with private institution, jingle/video/vlog-making contests, info materials’ dissemination, quiz bee, Bagwis program promotion, radio guestings, and Presyo Diskwento Caravans.
One of the highlights of the activities was the virtual quiz bee conducted on 27 October 2021. Out of the 110participating junior and senior high school students, five top scorers emerged as winners. Redjean S. Canatoy from Sigaboy Agricultural Vocational High School, Davao Oriental was declared as the champion, 2nd Place from Davao City ,Gionna Eirene F. Angelitud of Jose Maria College 3rd Place from Davao del Sur, Honey Joyce M. Recorba of Davao del Sur Institute of Languages and Technological College, Inc., 4th Place from Davao del Norte, Richelle Mae C. Mercado of Sagayen National High School, 5th Place from Davao del Norte, Kimbedlroy Q. De Guzman of Dujali National High School.
On same event, the awarding ceremony for newly-recognized Consumer Organization was also included in the program. Three (3) COs were awarded, namely; IGACOS Consumers’ Association (ICA), from Davao del Norte, Konsumo Mati, Inc. from Davao Oriental, and Konsumo Digos from Davao del Sur. Award were given in recognition of their role and valuable contributions in promoting consumer welfare and protection.
DTI 11 Assistant Regional Director (RD) Delia M. Ayano expressed her appreciation to all students who participated and to the representatives of Consumer Organization
Another important webinar was about the Philippine Energy Labeling Program (PELP) and Product Standard Markinga which was jointly conducted on 15 October 2021 by the Department of Energy (DOE) and DTI in support to the celebration of Consumer Welfare month and National Standards Week.
DTI 11 also participated in the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) – National Simultaneous Special Monitoring Activity held on 29 October 2021. Through Zoom meeting and livestreamed via the DTI Facebook pages. A total of 45 business establishments were monitored (19 supermarkets and 26 hardwares) from various parts of the region.The live streaming ended with the message of Regional Director (RD) Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, assuring DTI to enforce the SRP of BNPCs and also reminding consumers to buy noche buena products earlier to avoid rush.
Closing this year’s Consumer Welfare Month celebration in the region was the conduct of the two-day Presyo Diskwento Caravan at NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza, Bajada, Davao City last 29-30 October 2021. A total of 571 consumers were able to enjoy basic necessities, prime commodities and home essentials at discounted prices, with sales generated amounting to P297,044.10. This is DTIs intervention in helping the consumers maximize their limited budget and to mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic.
DTI-11 RD Maria Belenda Q. Ambi conveyed her appreciation to all stakeholders and students who participated and shared their talents and expertise in making 2021 Consumer Welfare Month a success. She said that DTI will continue to support technological transformation and upgrades, especially in online markets and e-Commerce platforms, and recognizes the primary role of online institutions in providing economic opportunities to business and continued protection to consumers.
This year’s theme, Digital Consumer: The New Normal” is a pledge that the DTI will continue in protecting today’s digital consumers through its thrusts on digital reform. ♦
Date of Release: 10 November 2021