“October is Consumer Welfare Month”: DTI lines up activities in celebration of CWM

The Department of Trade and Industry, through its Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG), spearheads the annual celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) this October with various activities lined up starting on 01 October.

“Digital Consumers: The New Normal” is this year’s theme, and it highlights the government’s continued consumer protection programs in today’s heightened utilization of electronic commerce.

“We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating Consumer Welfare Month by participating in our virtual activities and assisting us share DTI’s programs for the consumers,” says DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo.

To kick-off the month-long celebration, the Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) will hold another virtual dance and fitness class, dubbed as “Consumer Welfare Zumba” on 01 October 2021. The CPAB enlisted the help of the National Telecommunications Commission to broadcast information relative to the CWM celebration via Public Service Announcements through text message to further promote DTI’s CWM activities.

Furthermore, the DTI continues to hold throughout the month in the NCR the Presyong Risonable Dapat Program – Frozen Meat Edition and the CWM Diskwento Caravan. In addition, from 19-21 October 2021, the CPAB plans to hold a CWM Online Sale, where discounted goods will be available to the public via participating manufacturers’ websites.

Other activities include the conduct 4th Consumer Youth e-Forum on 20 October to equip the youth with the knowledge to understand and maximize the opportunities in e-Commerce and enable them with the tools to help them overcome the challenges and risks they may face as young entrepreneurs and consumers.

The Bagwis E-Convention will also be conducted on 22 October during which the CPAB will recognize the 2020-2021 Bagwis Awardees for the Bronze, Silver, or Gold levels for NCR and will present the proposed revisions on the Bagwis Award Implementing Guidelines. This year, the CPAB is also set to organize a Debate E-Tournament among college students on 24 October 2021.

A key activity is the National Conference for the ASEAN Peer Review on Consumer Protection in the Philippines which will take place on 18 October 2021 to present the key findings of the External Peer Review Report on the country’s consumer policy formulation, advocacy, monitoring and enforcement, and redress. The Philippines is the first country in ASEAN to undertake peer review. Another key event is the Consumer E-Congress on 29 October 2021, which aims to bring together consumer champions and stakeholders from across the country for a virtual discussion of topics that will raise awareness on consumer protection in the digital economy.

Meanwhile, aside from the CWM Celebration, the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS)

is set to observe the 47th National Standards Week from 08-14 October 2021 with the theme, “Shared Vision for a Better World.”

On 11 October 2021, the BPS will have its “Kapihan sa BPS,” an interactive question-and-answer session with the Standards Conformity Division Heads. Other activities include the BPS Testing Laboratory Tour via Zoom and the annual Standards Stakeholders Conference, among others.

Meanwhile the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau is set to hold an IREGIS E-Rollout and E-TANONG/E-SAGOT @ DTI during the last week of October 2021.

For more information about the 2021 CWM activities, everyone is enjoined to visit the DTI Consumer Care and Konsyumer Atbp (KATBP) Facebook pages or send an email to CPAB@dti.gov.ph.

DTI to Strengthen Economic Cooperation with Pakistan

MANILA—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez led discussions on further economic cooperation with Pakistan during the virtual courtesy call of Ambassador-Designate Imitiaz Ahmad Kasi on 14 May 2021. The meeting tackled opportunities to enhance trade between the two countries, especially on agricultural products such as rice and potatoes. Possible cooperation arrangement to support the country’s garments export capacity was also discussed.

Ambassador Kasi also stressed Pakistan’s comparative advantage in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the two officials considered possible collaborations in local pharmaceutical manufacturing investment in the country, taking into account market opportunities in this time of pandemic.

For his part, Sec. Lopez noted Pakistan’s interest to know more about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and highlighted how Pakistan can collaborate with the Philippines to access the RCEP region. “Once RCEP Agreement entered into force, even non-RCEP countries like Pakistan can take advantage of the Agreement by considering the Philippines as a manufacturing hub for products of interest in the region,” the trade chief said.

DTI Rolls Out Online Import Permit Application

The Import Regulation Division (IRD) of the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) rolled out its online processing of applications for Certificate of Authority to Import (CAI) through the DTI Integrated Registration and Information Systems otherwise known as IREGIS. The online portal, which can be accessed at iregis.dti.gov.ph facilitates the processing of FTEB frontline services including the application for import permit of used vehicles.

The online application and issuance of CAI is in line with the government initiative on Ease of Doing Business and Government Service Act of 2018, which aims to streamline frontline procedures and to reduce the processing time on securing government permits and licenses.

“The automation of our processes is intended to modernize not only our office but private business enterprises as well, and we are hopeful that this move will contribute to a more seamless and simplified system in the future,” said Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth Castelo.

“Our clients can now secure their import permits at the comfort of their homes since everything can now be done through IREGIS-- from filing of application, online payment, evaluation and approval down to releasing of certificates,” FTEB Director Ronnel Abrenica stated.

Further, DTI incorporated a technical support chat box in the IREGIS applicant dashboard that is available from 8AM to 5PM on weekdays to assist the clients in navigating the recently launched online portal.

For more information and questions about online import permit application, you may send an email to fteb_ird@dti.gov.ph or may call Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384).

DTI issues Memorandum Circular on gradual reopening of sectors, as allowed by IATF under GCQ, MGCQ areas

MANILA—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued on 28 February 2021 Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 21-08, s. 2021 prescribing the recategorization of certain business activities from Category IV to Category III, which gradually reopens the operations of driving schools, traditional cinemas, museums, and tourist attractions, among others, under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ), pursuant to the earlier approval granted by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“Following the earlier agreement at the IATF, DTI issued the circular that will guide the implementation of a safe and gradual reopening of more businesses and economic activities. This is part of our mandate to ensure that as more businesses reopen to provide more jobs and sources of income for our countrymen, the strict health protocols are enforced," said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

With the reopening and the recategorization of businesses, the MC stipulated the maximum operational capacity and recognized the oversight function of the appropriate regulatory agency and the local government units (LGUs) where they may be located. Thus, it allows the appropriate agency, the LGUs, and the Department of Health (DOH) to develop additional guidelines that will ensure an effective health protocol system as these sectors are gradually reopened.

"There is shared objective in restoring economic activities while keeping the health protocol fully enforced, to prevent unnecessary surge of COVID-19 cases. This has been the working formula in previous reopening of economic sectors to bring back jobs,” the trade chief said.

Under the MC, Libraries, Museums, Cultural Centers, Meetings and Conventions, and Limited Tourist attractions and Video games arcades are allowed to operate at a maximum of 50% under GCQ and 75% under Modified GCQ (MGCQ). Meanwhile, Traditional Cinemas are allowed to operate only at a maximum of 25% in GCQ and 50% in MGCQ areas, subject to additional implementing guidelines from DOH and the LGUs.

Limited Social Events will be restricted to 30% in GCQ and 50% in MGCQ areas. Both categories must be held at accredited establishments of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and are subject to DTI-DOT Joint MC 2021-001 or the Amended Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Essential Meetings and Social Events in Areas Under GCQ.

The full list of establishments can be viewed through this link: http://bit.ly/DTI_MC21-08

The MC also states that the expansion of the aforementioned business establishments or activities under Category IV in GCQ and MGCQ areas are subject to compliance with the minimum public health and safety standards and protocols and relevant issuances released by the DTI, DOH, DOT, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

To ensure the compliance of business establishments, the DTI, through the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) and Regional or Provincial Offices, will continue its strict compliance monitoring through its post-audit mechanism. Inspection by DOLE, DOH, and the LGU’s Health Office may also be conducted at any time. In addition, the general public may also course their feedback and complaints through the DTI Consumer Care Hotline 1-384 or 1-DTI.

“The past year proved to be very challenging as we were faced with unprecedented situations that demanded extraordinary responses, but it was also a time for growth and collaboration. Through the continued partnership of government agencies and with the strict adherence of our countrymen to health and safety protocols, we will continue to see signs of recovery," Sec. Lopez said.

"As we move forward this year, we will continue this momentum and adopt a whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach towards safely and gradually reopening our economy."

The Circular will take effect on 05 March 2021, upon its publication and filing with the University of the Philippines Law Center.

Aspiring Pharmacist and Retrenched Training Specialist Receive Livelihood Kits to Re-invent in the New Normal

CEBU CITY – Two hopeful entrepreneurs receive 6,000 worth of livelihood starter kits from DTI Cebu after graduating the 3A BOOTCAMP: Accept, Adapt and Act program by the DTI Philippine Trade Training Center in partnership with the Angelpreneurs and LEADMORE.

Chancel Dorothy Franciso graduated Pharmacy a week prior the lockdown was implemented in March 2020. During the pandemic, she waited with uncertainties to include the board exams.

On the other hand, Carla Dalagan was displaced from working on a food franchise corporation and was unemployed for ten months.

Both, in support to their families, applied for the unique virtual training program by DTI.

The 3A Bootcamp is intended for working students, housewives, displaced employees and teachers, and OFWs (who have recently returned from abroad) who are interested to start a business to replace lost family income.

Participants are aimed to present a ‘mockup product’ or product concept test business model-market/product validation. Critiquing will be done to improve the plan and other aspects of setting up the new business especially in light of the pandemic and. digitalization. This will help them find opportunities based on their skills so they can re-invent themselves in the new normal.

The learning sessions are also designed with practical approach and delivered by actual business practitioners. The training being done online, Francisco and Dalagan said to have championed it despite the troubles with internet connection and the budget for load allocation.

“Thankful ka-ayo ko sa mga mentors kay patient sila namo, online baya siya, so lisud siya,” [I am thankful to the mentors for their patience since the training is done online, and it's challenging] Dalagan explained. She plan to start an ice candy business, with fresh milk as main ingredient.

“This boot camp and the mentors have helped me augment the knowledge I have thru the few business units I had in pharmacy school. The mentors presented us the bird’s eye view of what to expect in entrepreneurship,” Francisco added. The business she pitched during the program is the production of sugar hair removal wax.

Francisco and Dalagan are among the thirty-one (31) qualified scholars out of almost eighty (80) participants from the country qualified for the completion of the program. The mentoring program ran 7 sessions from January to February 2021.

Both received a certification and livelihood kits from DTI Cebu OIC-Provincial Director Esperanza Melgar and SDD Chief Marivic Aguilar.

“This program primarily aims to instill a resilient mindset that can accept and adapt to the new normal and pivot out of unemployment, act with an entrepreneurial mindset, and be able to set-up a business. Both of them are able to do that,” Dir. Melgar asserted.

DTI Cebu, through its Negosyo Centers, shall provide the beneficiaries with Entrepreneurship Development Seminars, facilitate Business Name and Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Registrations, and assist in other appropriate Business Development Services to improve their businesses.