During the fourth episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency for 2025, Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Edna Dizon outlines consumer protection initiatives in Central Luzon, including regular price monitoring, collaboration with local government units and consumer organizations, and an online complaints resolution system. (Aldrin Joshua P. Mallari/PIA 3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry is strengthening consumer protection measures in Central Luzon by regularly monitoring prices in collaboration with local government units and consumer organizations.
During the fourth episode of “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” on the Philippine Information Agency, DTI Regional Director Edna Dizon highlighted the agency’s efforts to regulate prices and ensure compliance with product standards, particularly for basic and prime commodities.
She emphasized that the Consumer Protection Division, at both the regional and provincial levels, has been working with LGUs to support these initiatives.
Under Republic Act 7581, the Price Act, LGUs are required to establish Local Price Coordinating Councils.
As of 2024, 131 of the 137 LGUs in the region have active LPCCs.
“In fact, the LPCCs are composed of various agencies, private and local, to monitor the prices of basic commodities, especially in public markets,” Dizon said.
With this, the agency continues to enhance its partnership with LPCCs and consumer organizations to promote fair pricing, protect consumer rights and ensure market transparency.
DTI also works with other agencies, particularly in the agricultural sector, to help stabilize the prices of essential goods such as rice.
Beyond price monitoring, the agency enforces consumer protection by handling complaints and ensuring businesses comply with mandatory product standards.
DTI remains committed to resolving consumer complaints efficiently through mediation and adjudication.
In 2023 and 2024, the agency resolved 100% of consumer complaints received.
To further streamline and improve consumer protection efforts, DTI launched the Philippine Online Dispute Resolution System last year. This platform provides a more accessible and efficient way to resolve complaints.
“So, if you have complaints, we have the PODRS now as part of the digitization efforts of the government. We are now implementing online consumer handling for consumer complaints,” Dizon said.
In 2024 alone, 220 complaints were resolved through PODRS.
Aside from this online complaints resolution system, consumers may still contact DTI Central Luzon for their concerns through its hotline at (045) 625 9290 or by visiting its regional or provincial offices.
These initiatives underscore DTI’s commitment to safeguarding consumer welfare in Central Luzon. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
