Samal City consumer group discuss rights issues

DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan.  28-----The IGaCoS Consumers Association (ICA) discussed consumer welfare promotion, consumer rights and related issues during its second general assembly last January 20, 2014 at the SP Building, City Hall Compound, Island garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).

Nineteen members of said consumer organization composed mostly of representatives from the elderly group and barangay officials discussed with Mr. Delvin M. Santos of DTI-Davao del Norte Provicial Office - Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulation Division, on various consumer rights and privileges under the Price Act, Senior Citizens Act, and the Persons with Disabilities Act. Mr. Santos also informed the group of the various requirements in securing a sales promo permit and which type of sales promos require permissions from DTI.

The activity also served as a venue for several members to clarify issues regarding certain provisions of law especially in the Senior Citizens Act. One example was the query raised on the discounts on taxi fares, since some taxi drivers refuse to give discounts to a senior citizen passenger who is traveling with non-senior citizen passengers.

The group urged government to recognize official representation of the group to public hearings concerning certain consumer issues. They also recommend the replication of creation of consumer organizations at the barangay level.

With the ICA’s invaluable contribution in safeguarding consumer welfare in Samal Island, DTI Davao del Norte is hoping to organize more consumer groups such as this in other municipalities and cities in the province to create more empowered DavNor consumers.

ICA was organized in 2012 through the partnership of public and private sectors in the Island Garden City of Samal and the Department of Trade and Industry – Davao del Norte. Its primary task is to promote consumer welfare in the city through consumer empowerment. By far, it has already conducted several information dissemination sessions through the Advocates for Consumer Empowerment (ACE) for highschool students and Barangay Advocates for Consumer Empowerment (B-ACE) Program for barangay officials throughout the island. (Judecia H. Ponio, Info Officer DTI DavNor)