MANILA - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched a month-long celebration of Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) this October in Western Visayas, with the theme “Be Smart, Assert Your Consumer Rights!”, DTI stated.
“The Department has planned an extensive lineup of activities aimed at engaging and education consumers,” DTI revealed.
For the first week, activities will focus on basic needs, choice and redress, aimed at establishing “a foundation for consumer empowerment.”
The second week will zoom in on “safety”, with emphasis on the importance of consumer protection.
For the third week, the celebration will concentrate on promoting a healthy environment, aligning consumer rights with sustainability; while information, consumer education and representation will be the core of the fourth week’s activities, with the aim of creating a more informed and engaged consumer.
The month-long celebration concludes with the fifth week dedicated to preparations for the upcoming All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, recognizing the cultural significance of this period and its impact on consumer behaviour, the DTI stated.
During the final week, DTI will conduct special monitoring activities focused on bottled water, candles, and flowers—essential items for UNDAS observances—to ensure fair pricing and quality standards are maintained during this high demand period, DTI added.
(Photo courtesy of Department of Trade and Industry)
DTI Region 6 Director Rachel Nufable encouraged the public to participate so that they are informed of the Department’s programs in consumer welfare.
“The celebration is structured around the eight fundamental consumer rights, with each week focusing on specific themes,” Nufable mentioned.
Consumers can also look forward to the Diskwento Caravan throughout the month, with affordable quality goods and crafts from various provinces, organized in collaboration with local government units and manufacturers.
A Consumer Quiz Bee is also included in the schedule of activities with the aim of educating the youth on their “rights and responsibilities” as consumers.
The agency will also observe National Standards Week in conjunction with World Standards Day on 14 October 2024.
Key regional events include an episode on the Istorya TNK radio program of DTI Region VI in partnership with Radyo Pilipinas, focusing on: the CWM celebration on October 6, an Adopt-a-Plant activity in the third week, a Diskwento Market Caravan on the fourth week, a Consumer Protection Conference scheduled on October 25, and a Press Conference on Undas Monitoring to be held on October 30.
Each province in the region has tailored its own set of activities to address local needs and interests, the DTI said.
Aklan will host a Consumer Protection Social Media IEC Contest and a "DTI Meets the Media on Consumerism" event.
Antique has planned a media conference called Hinunanun, along with a Diskwento Caravan and Kadiwa ng Pangulo events.
Capiz will launch Consumer Corners, advocate for World Standards Day, and reorganize the Capiz Retailers Association.
Guimaras is set to launch a Consumer Welfare Desk and conduct orientations on Service and Repair Enterprises.
Iloilo will organize a CWM Quiz Bee, Interagency Linkaging with participants from five districts in Iloilo, Bagwis Awarding/Forum, and In-Store Diskwento Sale, and Negros Occidental plans to launch the Timbangan ng Bayan Center in Kabankalan City, hold a Consumer Quiz Bee, and participate in Kadiwa ng Pangulo events.
