Students, educators in Agusan Sur promote consumer rights
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur -- Some 80 participants from various sectors including students, educators, representatives of the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC), consumer organizations, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bagwis Awardee establishments, and service and repair accredited establishments (SREs) took active part during the Culmination Program for Consumer Welfare Month 2024 on November 5, at Mabes Savory Place, San Francisco, this province.
Said activity bared the theme, “Smart Customer, Safe Transaction: Defending Your Rights in a Changing Marketplace.”
The program featured a lineup of expert speakers who delved into various aspects of consumer welfare and protection. Atty. Kourt Chino A. Montero, chief trade and industry development specialist of DTI Caraga's Consumer Protection Division, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the "right to redress" and the theme’s message of asserting consumer rights.
He outlined the consumer's entitlement to repair, replacement, or refund (3Rs) for defective products or non-compliant services, ensuring the audience understood the importance of safeguarding these rights.
Engr. Rey Corvera, DTI Agusan del Sur’s supervising trade-industry development specialist and head of the Consumer Protection Unit, kicked off the first session, covering laws and regulations that protect consumer rights.
He clarified common misconceptions such as the "No Return, No Exchange" policy, product mislabeling, and the importance of mandatory certifications for product safety. He also reviewed regulations like the Price Tag Law, the No Shortchanging Act of 2026, and more.
Each session concluded with a brief quiz that encouraged active listening, awarding Consumer Run 2024 shirts and load cards to participants who answered correctly. The interactive approach added excitement, motivating participants to engage closely with the material presented by each speaker.
Following Engr. Corvera’s presentation, Jonnabelle Boiser, public health pharmacist from Department of Health (DOH) Agusan del Sur, discussed food and drug safety with a focus on consumer access to affordable medications. She explained the impact of Executive Order No. 155, s. 2021, which sets maximum retail prices for essential drugs. Boiser also addressed common misconceptions around generic medicines, asserting that these alternatives are equally effective as branded counterparts, often at lower costs.
The afternoon sessions continued with Angelo Etable from Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Agusan del Sur and Police Lieutenant Reuel Rei Gabatin from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU-13), who tackled online consumer protection and cybercrime prevention. Etable introduced digital privacy and security concepts, explaining terms like “cookies” and “cache.” Lt. Gabatin then shared strategies to protect against cyber fraud and emphasized caution in sharing personal information online.
During the open forum, they addressed concerns such as whether business establishments can publicly disclose personal data of customers with delayed payments, to which both speakers advised against, citing Data Privacy Act restrictions.
The final session, led by Cheri Ann De Guzman of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), focused on skills development and consumer empowerment. De Guzman highlighted opportunities for skill certifications like NC II, which can enhance service standards for repair establishments accredited by DTI.
The event concluded with a ceremonial pledge of commitment by all participants to advance consumer welfare and uphold consumer rights. Derby Barera, president of the San Francisco Consumer Organization, delivered the closing remarks, expressing gratitude to the speakers and attendees.
He proudly reflected on the month’s activities, including the successful Consumer Run 2024 with over 450 participants and the joint LPCC and Consumer Organization monitoring efforts, reiterating their shared commitment to consumer empowerment across Agusan del Sur. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)