The Department of Trade and Industry, through its Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG), continues its annual celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) this October with most of the activities done virtually due to the community quarantine.
This year’s theme is “Sustainable Consumer in the New Normal,” which calls for a change in consumer behavior and for the adoption of responsible consumption and production practices by the business sector.
“We are encouraging everyone to join us in the celebration of the 23rd Consumer Welfare month by promoting and practicing sustainability in your household. You can start by repurposing old materials instead of disposing them, or immediately purchasing new ones.” said Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
“The DTI formally started its information dissemination on sustainable consumption and production last year to educate Filipino consumers and businesses on the importance of responsible consumption, and sustainable and ethical production. The future of this planet lies in our hands so we must make a wise and responsible decision whenever we make a purchase,” said DTI Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo.
To kick-off the month-long celebration, the Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) held a virtual dance and fitness class, dubbed as “Consumer Well Fair Zumba” on 1 October 2020, instead of the annual Consumer Fun Run due to public health and safety constraints.
The CWM 2020 Mural at the DTI Head Office Lobby will be launched by CPG on 5 October 2020.
To increase the reach of DTI’s CWM Activities, CPAB has partnered with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to broadcast information relative to the CWM celebration via Public Service Announcements (PSAs) through text message. Likewise, various infographics and promotional materials will be displayed on electronic billboards of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) along EDSA.
Further, the CPAB will conduct a three-day Diskwento Caravan promoted as “Observing Social Discounting @ DTI” on 14-16 October 2020. This caravan will increase the public’s consumer awareness of products in the Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPC) lists while also being offered at discounted prices.
DTI will partner again with manufacturers of these products to provide discounts ranging 10%-50% on their products in this 3-day caravan.
In compliance with health and safety protocols, consumers shall be advised to wear face masks and face shields, practice physical distancing, and bring an eco-bag. The manufacturers and their distributors shall comply with the same guidelines, and shall be requested to avoid single-use plastics as well as observe proper waste disposal.
This year’s CWM celebration likewise features the usual engagement with the youth in the practice of sustainable consumption as CPAB will hold a “Spoken Poetry Competition” that is open for those ages 18-30 years old and residing in the National Capital Region (NCR).
In addition, there will be a nationwide “e-Comics Making Contest” open for college students enrolled in a private or public school. The CPAB will be spearheading the conduct of the contest in the NCR, while the DTI-Regional Operations Group’s (ROG) Regional and Provincial Offices will conduct the elimination round in their areas. These will be then submitted to CPAB for the contest’s final round.
The participants may choose from the following topics for their e-Comics’ storylines: (1) Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, (2) Sustainable Consumption, (3) e-Commerce, (4) Consumer in the New Normal, and (5) Deceptive Sales Act and Practices.
“For this year, the CPAB opted to conduct relevant activities that can be done online to ensure the safety of the employees and the participants, except for the mural launching and the Diskwento Caravan. We invite the youth to join the contests as exciting prizes await the winners.” said DTI-CPAB Officer-in-Charge, Atty. Marimel D. Porciuncula.
As a culminating activity, CPAB will conduct an e-Consumer Congress to educate the general public and stakeholders on the importance of responsible consumption as consumers, especially now that the country and the world are adjusting to the “New Normal” due to COVID-19.
Via this Congress, the CPG will emphasize how sustainable consumers in the “New Normal” are the vital support in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) under the “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Meanwhile, aside from the CWM Celebration, the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) is set to observe the 46th National Standards Week from 8 – 14 October 2020 with the theme, “Protecting the planet with standards.”
On 12 October 2020, the BPS will have its “Kapihan at Balitaktakan sa BPS,” an interactive question-and-answer session with the Standards Conformity Division Heads. Other activities include the first BPS Testing Laboratory Tour via Zoom on 13 September 2020, and the annual Standards Stakeholders Conference (formerly Technical Committee Forum) on 14 October 2020.
Interested participants may visit the DTI Consumer Care Facebook page to know more about the mechanics of the contests.
For more information about the 2020 CWM activities, visit the DTI Consumer Care and Konsyumer Atbp (KATBP) Facebook pages or send an email to CPAB@dti.gov.ph.
