Public told to uphold rights as consumers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry Region 7 (DTI-7) is encouraging the consuming public to be vigilant with their rights while reminding businesses with their responsibilities to their customers as prescribed under the Consumer Act.

Also known as Republic Act No. 7394, the Consumer Act of the Philippines is aimed at protecting the interest of the consumers, promoting their general welfare and establishing standards of conduct for businesses and industries.

This month of October, the regional and provincial offices of the DTI are observing the annual celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation No. 1098.

"DTI reiterates its commitment to reinforce its services, programs and activities to protect the interests of consumers with the continued assistance of Philippine industries," DTI - Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) Nelia Navarro said.

This year's celebration will host consumer welfare-related activities, seminars on consumer rights and responsibilities, prices and price tags, and product standard monitoring activities.

While the trade department ensures the stability of prices of the prime commodities in the region, DTI-7 also advises consumers to be cautious with the products they are buying.

Earlier, DTI-CPO warned retailers to refrain from any form of shortchanging in order to promote fair treatment and protect the welfare of consumers. Shortchanging is considered to be illegal, yet rampant.

Shortchanging occurs when vendors give less change than what is due in a transaction with shortage of coins being used as a common reason.

The most common form of shortchanging is giving candies to buyers as change instead of money.

DTI-CPO will officially launch an advisory on shortchanging at SM City Cebu Cyberzone on October 31 to promote the strict enforcement and discouraging retailers from shortchanging their customers.

In this same month, the trade department celebrated the 39th National Standards Week from October 8 to 14 with the theme "International Standards Ensure Positive Change" in cognizant with the World Standards Day yesterday.

In line with this, DTI-CPO reminded hardware stores to use the metric system as the only measurement system for all products and other commercial transactions in accordance with the national and international standards.

This is stated in the Batas Pambansa Bilang 8, an act defining the metric system and its units, providing for its implementation and for other purposes.

The trade department will conduct a meeting with industry stakeholders on the possible issuance advisory on sizes of plywood, steel bars, angle bars, pipes and nails this week.

Once finalized, an advisory on sizes will be officially launched on October 30.

DTI-7 will also organize seminars and workshops to increase the awareness of consumers and retailers when it comes to standards.

The Consumer Watch-Bohol, Inc. recently organized the Bohol Youth Consumer Summit 2013 in Tagbilaran City which was participated in by students from five colleges in the province.

This was in coordination with the DTI, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provincial government and local government unit of Bohol.

Also, the DTI provincial office in Negros Oriental continues to monitor prices of basic goods and prime commodities among business establishments in areas that were affected by the recent floods, such as Siaton, Sta. Catalina and Basay towns and in Bayawan City. /JMD (FREEMAN)