DTI told: Prioritize plans on consumer welfare

By Cheneen R. Capon
MEMBERS of a Davao-based consumer group have asked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 to increase its budget allocation for programs and activities that will promote public awareness on consumer rights and consumer protection.
Consumer Action for Sustainable and Healthy Lifestyle (Cash-L) vice president Antonio L. Boquiren said DTI is not prioritizing plans and programs on empowering consumers.
“I’ve been part of the group for quite some time and I observed that the agency has budget for activities, but no more allocation for follow-through activities which is more vital,” Boquiren said during the open forum of the stakeholders’ consultation at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday.
This sentiment is shared by Vikki T. Horfilla, Cash-L head of the advocacy committee for education, who said that the budget allocation of DTI for consumer welfare is an indicator on how serious the government is in protecting and empowering the consumer sector.
But, DTI 11 director Belinda Q. Ambi said activities planned with the consumer groups will be conducted this year.
“Our budget for consumer welfare has increased,” Ambi said. “From P1.5 million in 2014, it went up to P4 million this year.”
She, however, acknowledged that the budget is not enough to cover all expenses of activities that will empower and protect consumers in the region.
“We can tap other agencies like the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Health for consumer welfare awareness programs and activities,” Ambi said. “The effort of empowering and protecting consumers is not just the sole mandate of DTI.”
DTI will be promoting consumer rights and consumer responsibilities not only to end users, but also to businessmen, according to her.
Ambi said this is part of the advocacy promoting green economic development wherein, the business sector is not just focusing on increasing their profit, but also to people within the organization and the consumers and the environment.
DTI-Davao City director Engineer Edwin O. Banquerigo said promotion and integration of consumer rights and consumer protection among businessmen could be included during the issuance of permits and licenses, and during forums and information dissemination campaign on Free Trade Agreements (FTA) in the region.