MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — “Take time to research products and services before making a purchase,” Luz G. Galda, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Misamis Occidental, said during a press conference celebrating Consumer Welfare Month on October 2 in Ozamiz City, highlighting that consumers need to be smart and assertive in navigating the marketplace.
“Being smart and assertive about consumer rights involves learning the basic consumer rights such as product warranties, return policies, pricing practices, and rights to privacy and data protection,” she said.
It also means staying informed about consumer issues, trends, and scams.
DTI Misamis Occidental, for this year alone, is targeting 67 consumer advocacy initiatives and, to date, has received, mediated, and resolved 38 consumer complaints in their office.
There has been a noticeable shift in consumer complaints toward digital issues such as online order fulfillment, data privacy concerns, and customer service responsiveness on social media platforms.
According to Maritess B. Alcampado, the head of the Consumer Protection Division at DTI Misamis Occidental, consumer complaints are processed through mediation in DTI provincial offices. An impartial third party, known as a mediator, facilitates a discussion between two or more parties in conflict during this structured process.
“The goal is to help them reach a mutually acceptable resolution. If they agree to disagree, that complaint will be endorsed or forwarded to the Regional Office for adjudication or even to the proper court for litigation,” Alcampado said.
One of the rights of consumers is the right to redress; it is the consumer’s right to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods, defective goods, or unsatisfactory services.
“Kaya pag ang isang konsumante nakabili ng (That is why if a consumer can buy) defective products, we encourage them to file their consumer complaint to the concerned or appropriate agency that has jurisdiction on the subject products or services,” she said.
“A well-informed and vigilant consumer is the best protected consumer,” she said.
Consumer Welfare Month is celebrated every October under Presidential Proclamation No. 1098, series of 1997. It intends to raise awareness about the basic rights and responsibilities of consumers, as well as pressing issues affecting them.
This year’s theme, “Be Smart, Assert Your Consumer Rights!” underscores the ongoing commitment to empowering consumers. (JMOR/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)
