ILOILO CITY – In observance of the World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) on March 15th, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region Office VI – Consumer Protection Division (CPD) will conduct one of its Consumer Advocacy Initiatives (CAIs), particularly the Consumers Talk, aimed at raising awareness on consumer rights and promoting consumer welfare and protection.

Since its inception in 2023, the Consumers Talk has served as a platform for consumers to share best practices in upholding their rights and responsibilities, while actively contributing to sustainable development goals. Last year’s focus was on accelerating clean energy transitions, where consumers engaged in meaningful discussions and initiatives to support environmental regulations.

This year, against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), DTI Region VI recognizes the need to address the implications of AI on consumer rights and responsibilities. Under the timely theme of “Fair and Responsible AI for Consumers,” the upcoming Consumers Talk will discuss significant topics on consumer-related AI applications and technologies.

The objective of the event is to promote awareness among consumers and business establishments about AI applications and technologies in the context of consumer rights and responsibilities. The webinar-type activity, to be conducted via the Zoom platform on March 15, 2024, will feature distinguished resource persons from the DTI, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and a prominent consumer organization.

Key topics of discussion will include Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, Consumer-Related AI Initiatives of the DOST and DICT and Consumer’s Perception and Experience on AI Applications and Technologies.

A total of 100 participants will be invited to the event, comprising representatives from consumer organizations and Bagwis awardees in Region 6. These include 45 delegates from consumer organizations and 55 Bagwis awardees.

“This Consumers Talk and the recently launched radio program entitled Istorya TNK are just two of the programs scheduled to commemorate the WCRD. All the DTI provincial offices will also conduct their own activities for the World Consumer Rights Day,” said DTI VI OIC-RD Rachel Nufable.

For more information and updates on WCRD events, the public is advised to refer to the official Facebook page of DTI Region VI where the schedule of activities was posted. ♦

Date of release: 15 March 2024