Monday, July 07, 2008 DTI to expand consumer welfare services By Victor L. Camion
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will expand its services to address consumers concerns in the province through the Consumer Network Inc. (Consumer Net).
The Consumer Net, formed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 2000, is scheduled to meet Monday to work on ways that the network can expand its services especially to assist consumers in getting low cost rice.
Quoting Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, DTI Provincial Director Javier Fortunato Jr. said consumers would benefit from a steady food supply.
Fortunato said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the National Food Authority (NFA) to further increase the supply in the local markets of state-subsidized rice products selling at P18.25 and P25 a kilo, as a way of stabilizing the supply and retail prices of the produce.
He also said the network can help the consumer on this matter.
The network, composed of 22 member representatives from government agencies, has addressed various consumer concerns and conducted a vital information drive relative to its services to the public since it was launched, Fortunato said.
Through Consumer Net, the Central Bank conducted a seminar on the identification of fake bills with participants from the treasurer's offices and collecting officers province-wide, while the City Veterinary Office also held a seminar on rabies vaccine and programs on meat inspection.
Fortunato said the DTI also facilitated the redress and resolution of consumer complaints at different levels.
The department has tapped the services of the National Telecommunications Commission in Central Visayas in assisting cellphone users who were victimized by the proliferating text scam and text spam messages.
Fortunato noted that the activities were successful because of the cooperation of Consumer Net members.
