Western Visayas Agencies Focus on Consumer Protection

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Nine national government agencies (NGAs) joined the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region VI at its 2nd Annual Regional Consumer Protection Conference on October 25, 2024, to tackle pressing consumer issues in Western Visayas.

Held at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Iloilo City and accessible via Zoom, the hybrid event brought together experts from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Energy, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Privacy Commission (NPC), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) along with its adjudication arm, the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC).

The conference was part of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration, highlighting inter-agency efforts to safeguard consumer interests. Among the issues addressed were DTI’s warranty disputes and deceptive sales practices, DOH’s beverage complaints, DA’s concerns over rising palay prices, and BSP’s surge in online payment transaction disputes.

“These inter-agency initiatives are crucial in protecting consumer welfare, especially with the rapid rise of digital transactions and evolving consumer concerns,” a DTI Region VI official said.

The conference also showcased significant achievements by the agencies in dispute mediation. DTI Region VI reported resolving 158 complaints, mostly concerning warranty issues, while DOH achieved a 98% settlement rate in complaints involving food, cosmetics, and hazardous substances.

BSP representatives focused on the increase in complaints about one-time-password (OTP) issues linked to digital payments, stressing consumer awareness in digital transactions. SEC highlighted its efforts to combat investment scams, urging consumers to verify investment documents before committing.

In a response to rising concerns over harassment from loan applications, NPC addressed complaints of borrowers being contacted without consent. NTC tackled phishing, smishing, and vishing scams, while DA used the 8888 hotline to manage concerns about palay price hikes. DHSUD and HSAC discussed processes for handling real estate disputes, emphasizing consumer rights in subdivision developer complaints.

“These government agencies’ coordinated efforts under the ‘No Wrong Door Policy’ allow consumers to feel confident that their complaints will reach the right department,” said the DTI Region VI representative.

As digital and traditional consumer issues become more complex, agencies underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration and continuous consumer education to protect the rights of Western Visayas residents.