A TOTAL of 30 business establishments in Northern Mindanao have received the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI's) Bagwis Awards during its ceremony on Tuesday, October 23, in Mallberry Suites Business Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.
Through the DTI Bagwis Awards, retail establishments that uphold the rights of consumers while practicing responsible business where consumers get the best value for money are given due recognition.
It also encourages the setting up of Consumer Welfare Desks in business establishments which will provide information to consumers and serve as a mechanism for the speedy resolution of consumer complaints, according to DTI-Northern Mindanao Regional Director Linda Boniao.
“For you to have a Bagwis award, ibig sabihin (it means), it’s a confirmation that you comply with government regulatory requirements,” Boniao said.
“It’s goodwill for the company and kung ako yung kliyente (if I’m the client), I know that kung mag complain ko, atimanun gyud ko (I would be accommodated),” she added.
On Tuesday, the DTI-Northern Mindanao awarded 17 retail establishments in the region with bronze, namely: S.B. Store, Jinfats Enterprises, Vedmore Inc., Vic Imperial Appliance Corporation, Lucky C.V.K. Hardware, and Desmark Corporation in Bukidnon; Des Markekting Inc. (Yamaha 3S) in Camiguin; Iligan 3D-Map Corporation/7-Eleven, YC Marketing, and Robinson's Supermarket Corporation in Lanao del Norte; Solidmark Inc., Robinson's Handyman, and Honda Des, Inc.-Oroquieta in Misamis Occidental; and Chams Convenience Store-Kong Hua Branch, Chams Convenience Store-Regatta Branch, Chams Convenience Store-Pueblo Branch, and Chams Convenience Store-Medical Branch in Misamis Oriental.
Further, silver awards went to 13 establishments, which includes: Fabulous Jeans & Shirts & General Merchandise, and Unipace Corporation-Gaisano Valencia in Bukidnon; W & M Premium Store in Camiguin; Lloyd Marketing & Car Service Center, J+ Hardware, Kim's Manufacturing Industries, and Robinson's Department Store in Lanao del Norte; Unitrust Electronis & Electrical, and Abacus Book & Card Corporation/National Bookstore in Misamis Occidental; and Abenson Ventures Inc.-Limketkai Branch, Philippine Seven Corporation-Lifestyle District Branch, Philippine Seven Corporation-Gusa Branch, and Philippine Seven Corporation-Tomas Saco Branch in Misamis Oriental.
At present, no establishment received the gold award.
According to Boniao, silver awardees cannot apply for the same award next year unless the award was pulled out from them due to a violation.
Bronze awardees can apply for the silver award next year.
The Bagwis Award ceremony is part of the DTI's set of activities in celebration of Consumer Welfare in the month of October, anchored on the theme: “Making Digital Market Places Fairer.”
This year, DTI focuses on the impacts of digital technology and how it helps in the attainment of product quality and safety conscious society.
However, for Boniao, E-Commerce still have “hitches that need to be ironed out,” especially the complaint policy.”
“They (consumers) should read the fine lines. Before they will order, they should really check the sizes, the quality, before they order. And then, they should read the fine lines like on 'no return, no exchange,'“ Boniao said.
The DTI-Northern Mindanao regional director advised online shoppers to complain also online if they have issues on their product and to seek for online facility that caters on online complaints.