CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is reminding the public to remain vigilant when purchasing goods, especially during the Christmas season, to ensure that they are not buying counterfeited or unregulated products.
Monica Czarina Abarca, a Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist at the DTI Laguna, urged the public to refrain from purchasing counterfeit products or items that violate trademarks. Instead, Abarca recommended supporting local businesses by purchasing locally-made products, which would contribute to the growth of the local economy.
“Let us buy local products to help the economy, our local manufacturers and small businesses so we could help their families and boost our local economy,” Abarca said during the Sulong Calabarzon online program of the Philippine Information Agency Region IV-A.
Teresita Tawingan, chief of DTI-Laguna’s Consumer Protection Division emphasized the need to regularly conduct consumer education, even for as young as elementary students, so everyone is well-aware of their rights and obligations as consumers in accordance with RA 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
“It is important as part of our body of knowledge and it serves an opportunity for us become a more informed consumer. In that way, we are in a good position to decide on what products to buy and services to avail,” she added.
To ensure consumer safety, the DTI’s consumer protection division reiterates some of the consumers’ rights, which include the right to attain basic needs and the right to safety.
“[Consumers] should have the right to our basic needs or an adequate supply of food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education, and sanitation. These should be available to us as consumers and at affordable price and of good quality,” she said.
Tawingan adds: “There is the right to safety, ensuring that we are protected against the marketing of unsafe goods. Products should be safe and contribute to our well-being and health. It is necessary for [manufacturers] to have labels containing proper information about the products, instructions on usage, and how to address issues or defects if they arise. Additionally, there should be precautions or warning signs.”
The Department of Trade and Industry said that they regularly inspect retail outlets and conduct market surveillance to ensure that establishments adhere to the agency’s guidelines and that products in the market are safe. (DTI 4A Consumer Protection/FACEBOOK)
DTI said that they regularly inspect retail outlets and conduct market surveillance to ensure that establishments adhere to the agency’s guidelines and that products in the market are safe.
In preparation for Christmas, the department has also worked with various manufacturers to establish the suggested retail price for popular Noche Buena items. This ensures that consumers can make informed purchases based on their needs and budget.
“In the monitoring activities that we have conducted regarding our Christmas preparations, so far they have been compliant. This monitoring will continue throughout the entirety of December,” Abarca notes.
To get the best value for their money, the DTI advises consumers to take advantage of available promotional deals, discounts, and giveaways in the market.
For more information, consumers can visit the official DTI website or check their official Facebook pages. The Noche Buena price guide is valid until December 31, 2023. (CO/PIA-4A)
