DTI-7 Intensifies Consumer Welfare Campaign

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-7 has intensified its consumer welfare campaign on the rights and responsibilities of the public to be vigilant in addressing illegal trade practices or the selling of inferior and unsafe goods and services in the marketplace.

Jojie Villamor, DTI-7 information officer, said the consumers must learn to fight and protect their rights for the benefit of all.

Villamor enumerated the eight basic consumer rights. The very first is Right to Basic Needs which guaranteed survival, adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education and sanitation.

Second: Right to Safety– the right to protect the consumers against the marketing of goods or the provision of services that are hazardous to health and life.

Third: Right to Information – the right to protect consumer against dishonest or misleading advertising or labeling and the right to be given the facts and information needed to make an informed choice.

Fourth: Right to Choose– for the products at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.

Fifth: Right to Representative – this is the right to express consumer interest in the making and execution of government policies.

Sixth: Right to Redress to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.

Seventh: Right to Consumer Education– which is to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be an informed customer.

Eighth: Right to a Healthy Environment with the right to live and work in an environment which is neither threatening nor dangerous and which permits a life of dignity and well-being.

Villamor said, these rights have accompanying responsibilities, adding that to effectively assert the consumers rights, the public must take on five duties.

These are critical awareness–this is the responsibility to stay alert and questioning on the use of, and the price and quality of good and services we procure for ourselves.

Action— to assert ourselves and act to ensure that we get a fair deal. If we remain passive, we can become prime targets for exploitation, Villamor added.

Social concern — as responsible citizens, we should always bear in mind the impact of our consumption on other citizens especially the disadvantaged sector of our society.

Environmental awareness— this is the consumers’ responsibility to understand the environmental consequences of our consumption and to conserve our natural resources and protect the Earth for future generations to enjoy as well.

Lastly, Villamor said, Solidarity to organize together as consumers to develop the strength and influence to promote and protect our interest.