BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry Cordillera Administrative Region announced the schedule of events for the 27th Consumer Welfare Month on Wednesday, October 2.
In accordance with Proclamation No. 1098, signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos on September 26, 1997, October is declared as Consumer Welfare Month to urge public and private sectors to provide reliable consumer information.
DTI-CAR Assistant Regional Director, Atty. Samuel Gallardo shared that this year’s CWM celebration focuses on ‘going back to the basics,’ which emphasizes the importance of the public’s knowledge of their rights as consumers.
With the theme, “Be smart, assert your consumer rights!” DTI-CAR hopes to remind the public of the eight Basic Consumer Rights: Basic Needs, Safety, Information, Choice, Redress, Representation, Consumer Education, and a Healthy Environment.
Among the slated activities for the celebration are press conferences, a photography contest, DTI Serbisyo Fairs, a Tree Planting in Camp 8 Watershed, Diskwento Caravan in Kias, Regional Monitoring Surveillance and Enforcement activities, and the Bagwis Awards and Recognized Consumer Organizations. Gallardo likewise mentioned Fiesta Haraya, which will be held from October 28 to 29.
Fiesta Haraya is a Philippine Creative Industries Festival hosted by DTI. Its first year of celebration was in 2023.
“Although it’s not necessarily directly related to Consumer Welfare Month, nandoon din po kasi yung advocacy namin to create and promote more creative industries in the Cordillera,” Gallardo explains.
Moreover, Gallardo reiterated that consumers must be knowledgeable of their rights and be careful in observing them.
“Walang maloloko kung walang magpapaloko, and so that comes with knowledge or understanding of your rights as consumers,” Gallardo concluded. By Heleina Taeza
