By Miriam Fe E. Jacinto
PAGADIAN
CITY, October 3 - - - To direct national attention on the role of
consumers, Consumer Welfare Month is
observed October of every year pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1098.
Ms. Ma.
Socorro M. Atay, Provincial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry
said this declaration is in consonance with the state policy to protect the
interest of the consumer and promote his general welfare as provided under R.A.
7394 also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
“Get
Organized. Be Heard. Be Empowered” is this year’s theme which aims to raise
awareness on consumer rights parallel with its responsibilities. It also allows
the public to be informed and be updated about government programs relative to
consumer empowerment.
It is
said that a well-informed consumer is the best protected consumer.
To
highlight the occasion, ConsumerNet which is composed of several government
agencies whose thrust is to protect the interest of consumers hang streamers
within their office premises, offered a thanksgiving mass at San Jose Parish Church
followed by a motorcade around the city to drum up the event on October 1.
Other scheduled
activities are: Monitoring of school canteens in Pagadian City and Dumalinao
Pilot School; DENR on Air over RPN- DXKP
on October 10, 2012 with ConsumerNet member agencies to discuss consumer
related issues and concerns; Search for the cleanest establishment such as
hotels, restaurants, bakeshops and carenderias in Pagadian City; Operation
Timbangan in cooperation with the Office of the Market Superintendent; Audio-Visual
Presentation at C3 hosted by the National Meat Inspection Services in observance
of the Meat Safety Consciousness Week on October 15-19; and conduct of Consumer
Education in coordination with DepEd and DTI. (MEJ/DTI/PIA9/alt)