Consumer congress kicks off Oct. 11

TO COME up with a National Action Plan for the advancement of consumer welfare and protection, consumer groups representing the different provinces in the country will convene during the National Consumer Congress in Manila on October 11, 2012, as part of the celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month.

Outputs from the Regional Consumer Assemblies organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and conducted simultaneously in the key cities all over the Philippines will be presented during the congress to gather relevant stakeholders and come up with recommendations to strengthen consumer welfare and protection.

“One representative of a certified consumer organization per province is invited to the congress,” said Almer R. Masillones, DTI-Misamis Oriental’s chief for Trade and Industry Development.

Rene Michael Baños, president of the Konsumanteng Kagay-anon Inc. (KKI), will represent Misamis Oriental during the grand consumer group leaders’ congress, Masillones said.

KKI is a non-stock, non-profit consumer welfare advocacy and protection organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and accredited as a consumer group by the DTI.

The assembly will also be attended by representatives from consumer organizations, academe and partner agencies.

Meanwhile, the DTI will be awarding top companies in Northern Mindanao in this same occasion.

Masillones said the DTI Certified Establishments Program award is given to certified business establishments in the province exhibiting good customer relations and management operations; compliant to fair trade laws; and are socially committed that responds to community-driven programs.

Otherwise known as “Bagwis Award”, this yearly commendation are given to outstanding firms in the service and repair shops; supermarket and department stores; and specialized stores industry.