DTI's Lopez urges consumers to be vigilant against erring businesses

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Tuesday urged consumers to be vigilant and report to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) any fraud or misconduct being committed in the market.

“We need to do more than our share to make the Philippine consumer environment a more productive and safer place for the growth of the economy,” Lopez said in his remarks at the launching of Project Execution Team (ET) in Mandaluyong City.

Efficient market monitoring, surveillance and enforcement are the primary cornerstones of a successful consumer protection policy, the Cabinet official said.

“These elements play a significant role in ensuring the proper functioning of fair and open competition, as businesses require a level-playing field to innovate and grow,” Lopez said.

He called on consumers to be alert against excessive pricing, wrong labeling, incorrect weight and measure, and substandard or poor quality products and services.

According to the DTI, Project ET aims to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of fair trade laws managed by the Consumer Protection Group and supported by the Regional Operations Group, Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, and Bureau of Philippine Standards.

“We envisioned Project ET to implement DTI’s enforcement, adjudication and quick response activities and programs,” Lopez said.

Enacting the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394), the Product Standards Law (RA 4109), and the other fair trade laws to establish a set of standard conduct for businesses and industries is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to safeguard the security, public order, and safety of Filipinos.

Enforcing the law will help address current issues affecting Filipino consumers, including price surges and irregularities in price commodities, as well as fraudulent, deceptive and manipulative schemes in buying products or services, Lopez noted.

Prior to Project ET, the DTI said it was able to cover 73.25 percent or 879 out of 1,200 firms that must be monitored.

"Of these monitored firms, 236 were issued with notices of violation, 82 of which were given formal charges," it said.

"As of July 2017, a total of 36,274 alleged violative products were seized or confiscated amounting to almost P2.1 million. Most of these products were construction materials, electrical supplies and appliances, sanitary wares and lighters," it added.
 
Project ET will prod erring business establishments to comply with trade and industry laws, as well as raise the awareness of consumers against trade malpractices, the DTI said. — VDS, GMA News