TUGUEGARAO CITY, March 21 (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry in Region 2 (DTI-2) conducted a symposium and workshop in celebration of World Consumer Rights Day with the theme, “Consumer Justice Now” on March 15 at Villa Blanca Hotel, Ugac Sur, this city.

Atty. Ma. Esperanza C. Bañares, regional director, said that this activity aimed to promote the basic rights of all consumers, demand that these be protected, respected. It also brought to fore protests against market abuses and social injustice.

Likewise, it’ was a venue for national government agencies, academe, students, people’s organization, media and local government units to formulate a strategy in the execution of action plans focusing on information advocacy.

Under the National Consumer Awareness Survey 2012 of DTI’s Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection, results indicate a low level of awareness of consumerism among Filipinos as only 30 percent of 4,800 respondents aged 15 years and over have heard, read or watched anything about it.

Susan Janer, of DTI Quirino, said that as a wise consumer, we should practice our responsibilities and rights. She added, if problems arise concerning purchased defective product or service, approach the store’s consumer welfare desk and if still dissatisfied, file a formal complaint to the concerned agency like DTI, Department of Agriculture, and other concerned agencies.

On the other hand, Henry O. Conel, Jr. of DTI-Isabela said that complaints are resolved through mediation and arbitration process.

The mediation officer assists the both parties and come-up with amicable settlement, a resolution through agreement acceptable to them both, while the arbitration officers render decisions based on the merits of the complaint after hearing both parties.

Rowena Mayangat of DTI-Nueva Vizcaya announced that a consumer may now file his/her complaint using consumer relationship management system (CRM).

It is a mechanism or tool used to fully serve our client wherein it is encoded online and forwarded to concern province, she said.

You may now file it thru DTI call center (+632)751-3330, voicemail, text, snail mail, email, fax, and others.