DTI utilizes students to promote consumerism

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 9, 2009) - To further advocate on the rights of consumers, the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is tapping students to promote and support consumerism to be intensified in the whole month of October.

Engr. Nenita Barroso, DTI provincial director, said this year's theme of the Consumer Welfare Month, which opened on October 5 and end on October 26, re-affirms the commitment of the public to be the eyes for the enforcement of government laws such as the Cheaper Medicines Law.

October is known as Consumer Welfare Month through Presidential Decree 1098.

Barroso said this year's edition of the event carries the theme: "Generic Drugs, Gawang Pinoy, Galing Pinoy, Tangkilikin Natin".

She added DTI will not only intensify the monitoring of prices of drugs, but also the prices of basic commodities and products such as construction and electrical products which are included in the department's mandatory inspection."We also monitor electrical products such as Christmas lights. We see to it whether it has product standard mark (for locally manufactured), and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) for the imported products," she said.

Barroso noted that based on the latest monitoring conducted by the DTI provincial team, prices of basic commodities were stable.Barroso pointed out that DTI's main thrust is not only to champion on business, but also to champion on consumers. Thus, the department is conducting consumer education and advocacy for the whole month of October in various schools in the province.

"We have formed a federation, the Youth Consumer Group, composed of students who will champion on consumerism. During our culmination activity on October 26, the students will take oath to sustain what they have started, to be our partner to advocate consumerism in the community," Barroso said.

The month-long celebration will also showcase the different talents of the young people of Sarangani through various activities such as Poster Making Contest, Oratorical Contest, Quiz Bee, and others. Events will be staged in collaboration with the Bureau of Food and Drugs, Department of Health, and the National Food Authority. (Joy Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)