THE Department of Trade and Industry-Davao Region (DTI-Davao) has reminded consumers anew to be cautious when participating in sales promotional offers by various business establishments.
With the surge of enticing offers and discounts, especially during this holiday season, consumers need to be vigilant and ensure that the promotional activities they are joining are legitimate and compliant with fair trade laws.
To confirm the legitimacy of a promotion, consumers are encouraged to check the advertisement if it contains the following information:
Mandatory phrase, “Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No.____”, which signifies approval from the DTI through the issuance of a sales promo permit. Promotions without this declaration are considered red flags and should be reported to the concerned government agencies (DA for agricultural products, DOH for food, drugs, medicines, and medical devices, DENR for wood and other forest products, and DTI for other consumer products)
Specific promo duration;
Presence of DTI representative to supervise during raffle draws;
For promo discounts, the presence of old or regular price tag must be evident;
Prizes or freebies that fall under the List of Mandatory Certification scheme must have Product Standard (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) markings;
Other related information
DTI-Davao Regional Director Romeo L. Castañaga also urged the public to be careful when seeing online sales promotions. Accordingly, there have been ads on social media that use legitimate-looking pages. However, when you check them, they appear to have just been created and have very few followers.
“There are social media pages that somehow copy the names of famous brands or shops. They offer products at hard-to-believe low prices. If the offer is too good to be true, be more vigilant. Scrutinize the post and the page behind it. Most importantly, report it to avoid victimizing others,” the regional trade chief said.
For further guidance, Castañaga encouraged consumers to reach out to the nearest DTI office or contact the agency through their official social media channels to verify promotions or seek assistance if they suspect fraudulent schemes.
“While sales promos are exciting opportunities to save, we urge consumers to be vigilant. A little caution can go a long way in avoiding scams and ensuring a safe shopping experience,” Castañaga noted. “Stay safe, shop smart, and ensure to get the best value of your money.”
For inquiries or to report suspicious activities, anyone may contact the DTI 11 Regional Consumer Protection Division at telephone number 224-0511 local 417. The public may likewise communicate through the Facebook page DTI Region11. PR
