Issues

on Consumer Protection
Presented by:

ATTY. ANSELMO B. ADRIANO
Director, Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau
Department of Trade and Industry

National Conference on Food and Nutrition Security
13 October2015, 09:00am 09:30am
Crimson Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa


Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

OUTLINE
1. Prices and Supply
2. El Nio
3. Messaging
2
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

OUTLINE
1. Prices and Supply
2. El Nio
3. Messaging
3
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Prices and Supply

The DTI, through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau,
regularly monitors the prices of basic necessities and
p r i m e c o m m o d i t i e s i n a l l g r o c e r i e s a n d
supermarkets in NCR.

The DTI Regional and Provincial OfTices conduct

price monitoring activities in their respective areas
of jurisdiction.
4
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Prices and Supply

In times of calamity, all DTI Regional and Provincial

OfTicers conduct daily price and supply monitoring
of basic necessities and prime commodities.

Whenever there is a problem in the supply of goods

in calamity-stricken areas, the DTI immediately
informs the concerned manufacturers.

5
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Prices and Supply

Whenever a province is declared under state of
calamity, prices of basic necessities, unless
otherwise declared by the President, are
automatically frozen at their prevailing prices.
The DTI publishes the list of prevailing prices in
leading newspapers to properly inform both
business and consumers.
6
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Prices and Supply

Notices of Violation (NOVs) are being issued to business
establishment owners found to be selling basic
necessities above the frozen prices.
The DTI entered into an MOU with the Philippine
Chamber of Food Manufacturers (Food Chamber) to
strengthen the cooperation between the two in ensuring
the availability of basic necessities and prime
commodities in times of calamities, especially on the
distribution of goods in calamity-stricken areas.
7
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Prices and Supply

DTI conducts Diskwento Caravan nationwide to
ensure that consumers have access to affordable
basic necessities and prime commodities, especially
during times of calamity and those belonging to
marginalized communities.
Through coordination between the DTI and
manufacturers, basic necessities and prime
commodities are being sold directly to consumers at
discounted prices.
8
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Prices and Supply

Several government agencies, as well as some
private institutions, are also participating in the
conduct of Diskwento Caravan.

Aside from the regular Diskwento Caravan, the DTI

also conducts Balik-Eskwela and Noche Buena /
Holiday Editions of the said project

9
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

OUTLINE
1. Prices and Supply
2. El Nio
3. Messaging
10
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

DTI initiatives for El Nio

To ensure reasonableness of prices and adequacy of
supply of manufactured and processed basic
necessities and prime commodities, the DTI shall
conduct intensiTied price and supply monitoring
activities in retail establishments.
The DTI shall coordinate with manufacturers and
distributors to ensure adequate inventory and
regular replenishment of manufactured and
processed basic necessities and prime commodities.
11
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

DTI initiatives for El Nio

To stabilize prices, DTI may encourage supermarkets to
increase inventory and sell more fresh products, meat,
and livestock.
The DTI may implement a Cash-for-Work program to
provide income to displaced farmers/laborers. The DTI
shall hire personnel from each region and province to
assist in the price and supply monitoring of basic
necessities and prime commodities.
May assess the impact of El Nio on a case-to-case basis
and recommend Price Freeze, if necessary in the local
level.
12
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

OUTLINE
1. Prices and Supply
2. El Nio
3. Messaging
13
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Right to Information
The consumer right to be protected
against dishonest or misleading
advertising and labelling, and the
right to be given the facts and
information needed to make an
informed choice.
14
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Our Messages
* Be an informed consumer by always reading the label
* Nutrition labels indicate approved health claims
* Proper nutrition label helps consumers choose healthier
diets
* Understanding nutrition labels improves the nutrition
knowledge, attitude and practices of consumers, and
increases the demand for adequate, nutritious and safe
food
15
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Other labels to look for

* Correct and registered trade name or brand name
* Duly registered trademark
* Duly registered business name
* Address of the manufacturer, importer, re-packer of the
consumer product in the Philippines
* General make or active ingredients
* Net quantity of content, in terms of weight, measure or
numerical count rounded of to (at least the nearest tenths in
the metric system)
16
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Cont./ Other labels

* Information if a consumer product is manufactured, reTilled,

or repacked under license from a principal

These labels may be required by the appropriate agency:
* Whether a product is Tlammable or inTlammable;
* Directions for use, if necessary;
* Warning of toxicity;
* Wattage, voltage or amperes; or
* Process of manufacture used, if necessary.

17
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Communication Strategies
* Development of IEC materials
* Consumer Advocacy Seminars
* Quad-media Campaigns
* Government-Industry Partnership
* Inter-agency Cooperation
* Consumer-led Campaigns

18
Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Confidential. For authorized use only.

Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

Thank you.