THE number of consumer complaints filed with the Department of Trade and Industry regional and provincial offices in Central Luzon in the first six months of 2018 increased by more than 20 percent compared to those filed in the same period last year.
According to the records of DTI-3, a total of 405 consumer complaints were received by the seven provincial offices and the regional office of DTI from January to June, 2018.
In comparison, in the first semester of 2017, only 328 complaints were lodged.
For 2018, DTI Bulacan received the most complaints in the region with 88, while Zambales and Bataan followed with 75 and 71 complaints, respectively.
DTI Pampanga received 70 complaints while Nueva Ecija had 39, the regional office had 32 and Tarlac had 28. DTI Aurora received only two (2) consumer complaints for the first semester of 2018.
Defective cellphones remained the subject of the highest number of consumer complaints, in both 2017 and 2018.
In 2018, there were 64 complaints received related to cellphone purchases compared to 56 complaints about cellphones in the first semester of 2017.
A total of 25 consumers also complained about defective air conditioning units and 24 complained about television sets they bought.
Other subjects of complaints in 2018 were motorcycle with 20 complaints, refrigerator with 20, vehicles with 15 and OR/CR related complaints with 12.
Meanwhile, regional director Judith P. Angeles said that of the 405 consumer complaints brought to their office, 400 or around 99 percent of these have been resolved within 10 working days through mediation and 20 working days for arbitration.
Angeles reminded consumers to request for valid receipts and warranty certificates or cards for purchased gadgets and appliances to make sure that in case of defects, consumers will have redress.