DTI Region 6 caps Consumer Month with protection forum

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The Department of Trade and Industry Region 6 (DTI-6) concluded this year’s Consumer Welfare Month celebration with the Regional Consumer Protection Conference 2025 held on Oct. 29, 2025, at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo City.

Carrying the theme “Bida ang Konsyumer sa Bagong Pilipinas!,” the event brought together national agencies, consumer groups, partner institutions, and advocates to strengthen collaboration on emerging consumer issues in the digital age.

In her welcome remarks, DTI-6 officer-in-charge Regional Director Ma. Dinda R. Tamayo stressed the importance of shared responsibility among regulatory agencies in upholding consumer protection.

“Consumer protection is not the sole mandate of DTI,” Tamayo said.

“It is a shared responsibility among all agencies represented here today,” she added.

“Together, we ensure fairness, safety, and accountability for every Filipino consumer,” she said.

Tamayo highlighted the growing complexity of consumer challenges in the age of digital transactions, online scams, and data privacy threats.

“We advocate for consumers’ rights and responsibilities, provide channels for redress, and extend mediation and adjudication services,” she said.

“In the end, fairness and justice remain our mark as public servants,” she added.

The day-long conference featured discussions on key consumer topics including product standards, food safety, pricing, energy, transport, and special protections for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

It also addressed digital and financial consumer protection, with a focus on investment scams, telecommunications and internet issues, data privacy, intellectual property, and financial literacy in the digital economy.

Subject-matter experts from various agencies delivered insights during the event, including the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Other participating agencies included the Land Transportation Office, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Securities and Exchange Commission, National Telecommunications Commission, National Privacy Commission, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Philippine National Police–Anti-Cybercrime Group, and the Offices for Senior Citizens Affairs and Persons with Disability Affairs.

Interactive sessions, video presentations, and games engaged attendees throughout the day, reinforcing lessons on responsible consumer behavior, digital safety, and awareness of rights.

The conference marked the culmination of Consumer Welfare Month and reaffirmed DTI-6’s commitment to promoting fairness, transparency, and consumer empowerment in the marketplace.