By
Alma L. Tingcang
IPIL,
Zamboanga Sibugay – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
recently spearheaded the organization of Zamboanga Sibugay Province Consumer
Network (ConsumerNet) on March 19, 2015 at Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel here.
Engr.
Al-Zamir I. Lipae, officer-in-charge of DTI-Sibugay welcomed the participants from
the national government agencies, local government units and other stakeholders
to the meeting.
“In
the upcoming meetings, we will be joined by other consumer groups because we
will organize a ConsumerNet in the different municipalities,” Lipae announced.
He
urged the participants to ask about consumerism and take advantage of the
presence of Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist Ceferino J. Rubio
of the Consumer Protection Division of DTI-9.
Rubio
discussed the operationalization of ConsumerNet in Zamboanga Sibugay and gave a
brief background information on RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines
and the Price Act of the Philippines (RA 7581), an act providing protection to
consumers by stabilizing the prizes of basic commodities and by prescribing
measures against undue price increases during emergency situations and like
occasions.
“ConsumerNet
aims to institutionalize networking among consumer-oriented agencies;
facilitate the flow of consumer protection information; provide speedy
resolution of consumer complaints; and enhance continued support and cooperation
among member agencies,” Rubio emphasized.
Engr.
Samuel V. Delos Reyes of DTI-Sibugay presented a draft memorandum of agreement
(MOA) to the participants which, when finalized, will be signed by all member
agencies with DTI acting as secretariat.
Elected
chairman of Zamboanga Sibugay ConsumerNet
was Mr. Herman B. Agpawa of ZAMSURECO II with Mr. Edgardo Balboa of LGU
Kabasalan as vice chairman.