Kalinga pushes safer products, smarter buying as Consumer Welfare Month begins

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The provincial government and consumer protection partners in Kalinga are stepping up efforts to ensure the safety of products and services in the local market while helping consumers make more informed purchasing decisions this October.

The province is observing Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) under the theme “Safe Products, Confident Consumers,” emphasizing the shared responsibility of government agencies, local governments and businesses in protecting consumers.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Kalinga representative Victor Benganio said the month-long activities are being implemented through the Provincial Consumer Network, a group of government agencies and private-sector partners involved in consumer protection programs and services.

He said the campaign seeks to ensure that products and services available to the public meet safety requirements and are fit for human consumption and use.

“The calendar of activities in celebration of this year's Consumer Welfare Month is geared towards our theme for the celebration, Safe Products, Confident Consumers,” Benganio said.

He added that concerned government agencies and private-sector partners must work together to protect consumers and give the public confidence in the products and services they purchase.

Consumer Welfare Month is observed every October under Presidential Proclamation No. 1098, series of 1997, which calls for greater consumer awareness and dissemination of information on policies and programs affecting consumer welfare.

In Kalinga, the campaign will include consumer education and advocacy activities aimed at strengthening awareness of consumer rights, product safety and informed decision-making.

For the first time, DTI-Kalinga will also conduct a Consumer Welfare Month October Weekly Trivia through its official Facebook page to encourage public participation and consumer awareness.

Trivia questions will be posted every Wednesday throughout October. The first five participants to correctly answer each weekly question will receive a ₱500 token, with ₱2,500 in prizes available each week.

The province will also participate in the National Consumer Forum in Metro Manila, with Helen Ruego of the BIBAK Multipurpose Cooperative representing Kalinga.

BIBAK MPC, a registered consumer organization in the province, will also conduct an in-house consumer advocacy activity on October 7.

DTI-Kalinga will further conduct consumer advocacy through media and broadcast programs, including Radyo Pilipinas.

The month-long observance aims to strengthen cooperation among regulators, local governments, businesses and consumers toward a marketplace where products are safe, businesses are responsible and consumers are better equipped to make informed choices.