Dubious selling, marketing schemes

EDITORIAL

Dubious firms with their illegal marketing schemes have already victimized several persons in Baguio and other parts of northern Luzon but it seems more gullible folk are still being lured and fleeced of their money by these opportunists.

Before you are convinced by these smooth talking con artists, know first what you are getting into by getting pertinent information from government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry.

The DTI says the public as consumers or investors, have rights as provided by law, in which the government, through the Consumernet – a network of various national line agencies that work together, to assure that such public or consumer’s rights, are protected.

So if consumers feel that their rights are being violated, they should immediately report such violation to the proper agency like the DTI.

There are also government agencies for every specific complaint such as Food and Drug Administration for food and medicine or drug products, department of Agriculture for fertilizer, seeds and other agricultural products and the Local Government Units for any market product weight or measures violations, among other things.

Consumer welfare is upheld by Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act. The law protects consumers from deceptive and unfair sales acts and practices. It also protects the public from unhealthy and hazardous wares.

Under the law, consumers are encouraged to participate in the formulation of social and economic policies, through their chosen group representatives.

As the country observes consumer welfare month next month, The Cordillera’s Consumernet has lined-up several consumer welfare advocacy and awareness activities, spread-out for the whole month of October.