Consumer rights awareness rising

As the current administration upholds consumer protection rights as a priority, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that nationwide awareness of consumer rights has significantly increased.

The DTI, in a statement on Sunday, said awareness of consumer rights nationwide rose to 85 percent as of September 2025, up from 78 percent in June, and lauded outstanding public and private sector partners.

This came amid an earlier DTI report that consumer concerns had surged, with the DTI recording over 13,000 complaints related to online transactions alone from January to August 2025.

DTI Fair Trade Group assistant secretary and supervising head Regino Mallari Jr. expressed appreciation to DTI’s industry partners at the recent Stakeholders’ Appreciation Night for their continued compliance and cooperation.

The DTI showed that to date, more than 13,000 retailers have received the DTI Bagwis Seal of Excellence for responsible and consumer-friendly business practices.

Seal of legitimacy

Meanwhile, Amway Philippines LLC was conferred the Seal of Legitimacy for ethical direct selling.

DTI also cited manufacturers of basic goods, school supplies, and noche buena, including members of the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines, PhilBaking, and the Philippine Association of Meat Processors and Importers, for helping stabilize prices.

Advocacy partners such as the Metro Manila Development Authority, Light Rail Transit Authority, Metro Rail Transit Authority — Line 3, Robinsons, UP Los Baños and Manuel Luis Quezon University Law School were also commended for their efforts in enhancing consumer education and policy development.

Local governments, including Makati, Pasay, Parañaque, Pasig, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, San Juan and Marikina, were likewise honored for leading community-based awareness campaigns during Consumer Welfare Month.

As part of Consumer Welfare Month, the event reaffirmed DTI’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to Filipino families and businesses.