In celebration of the 20th Consumer Welfare Month this October, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Isabela Provincial Office through its Consumer Protection Division conducted two (2) consecutive Consumer Education and Information (CEI) Symposia in Echague and Ilagan City on October 20 and 24, 2017, respectively.
The activity aims to inform consumers of their rights and responsibilities for them to become more vigilant and be protected from market abuse and social injustices.
The speakers were from the Ilagan City Consumer Organization Network Incorporated (ICONInc), Isabela Electric Cooperative II (ISELCO II), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) – Isabela Provincial Office, and DTI Isabela.
The CEI was conducted on October 20, 2017 at Isabela State University – Echague Campus and was participated by students from the said university.
Mr. Mark Jayson S. Andes, Administrative Officer II and Mr. Elmer A. Agorto, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist (STIDS) under Consumer Protection Division of DTI Isabela Provincial Office, discussed the overview of the Consumer Welfare Backgrounder of the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394) and Fair Trade Laws respectively.
While Ms. Jocelyn N. Laccay and Ms. Joy J. Dyquiatco, members of the board of directors of Ilagan City Consumer Organization Network Incorporated (ICONInc), discussed the consumer’s rights and responsibilities and types of consumers and how to handle consumer complaints correspondingly.
Also, Engr. Magdalena D. Gomez, DICT – Provincial Field Team lead of Quirino and Isabela Provinces, discussed e-commerce.
The second CEI symposium held at Cabisera 8, San Antonio, Ilagan City, Isabela on October 24, 2017 was participated by twenty-seven (27) Punong Barangay of San Antonio Cluster.
Ms. Ma. Luisa Demetria, Chief of Member Service Division of ISELCO II, discussed the overview of power rates, customer standards and the Magna Carta for residential consumers.
DTI Isabela Provincial Office personnel, Ms. Donica Aura C. Calalung, SSF, BUB and Planning Assistant and Mr. Romeo S. Panopio II, Trade and Industry Development Specialist (TIDS) discussed the rights and responsibilities of consumers and types of consumers and how to handle consumer complaint respectively.
Mr. Elmer A. Agorto, discussed the common Fair Trade Laws.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Ines Laggui, president of the ICONInc, expressed her gratitude to public officials for attending and participating in the symposium. She urged the public officials to conduct CEI symposium in their jurisdictions to strengthen consumerism and heighten the awareness of their constituents of their rights and responsibilities.♦