LUNA, Apayao – In line with the annual Consumer Welfare Month, the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry hosted a Consumer Forum aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and responsible consumption last October 24, 2023.
Held in Luna, the event showcased the province’s commitment to sustainable development and highlighted various government programs and initiatives geared towards a more eco-friendly future.
This year’s theme, “GenS: Generation Sustainable,” was selected to raise consumer awareness and disseminate crucial information on policies and programs affecting consumer welfare. The forum served as a platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge related to sustainable development.
Key topics and government initiatives highlighted during the Consumer Forum apart from consumer rights included community-based forest management program, national greening program, waste segregation and collection, ban on single use of plastic, advocacy for biodegradable products, fire hazard regulations, regulations on illegal fishing, and enforcement of road regulations.
Other subjects that were brought out were Academia-Led Research and Development, Advocacy for Sustainable Consumption and Production in Schools, Aquaculture Promotion, Bamboo Industry Promotion, Green Packaging Promotion, and Resource-Based Industry Development.
Provincial Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. and Congresswoman Eleanor Bulut-Begtang both emphasized the importance of the current generation’s actions on future generations and that sustainable consumption and production are shared responsibilities that extend to all sectors of society.
Consumer Welfare Month is observed every October in the Philippines, as declared in Presidential Proclamation No. 1098, series of 1997. This month-long celebration serves as a reminder of the significance of consumer rights and welfare.
Said forum provided a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas and strategies to promote environmental sustainability in the province, emphasizing that sustainable development is the path towards a brighter and more responsible future for Apayao. By J. Dela Torre