CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging consumers to provide feedback on the products and services they avail, which is crucial for customer satisfaction and business growth.
According to DTI IV-A Regional Director Marissa Argente, providing necessary feedback on products and services helps the business sector to further determine the customers’ overall experiences and identify areas for improvement.
“We have eight rights as consumers, and if we don’t use them properly, we might always feel discontented. Business owners might think everything is fine, and if you don’t come back to say that you’re not happy with the product or the service that was promised, they remain unaware,” Argente emphasized.
She stressed: “If we are knowledgeable about providing proper feedback and also uphold our responsibilities as consumers then both public and business sector can be satisfied”.
The eight consumer rights composed of rights to basic needs, safety, information, choice, representation, redress, consumer education and a healthy environment are emphasized by the Department to empower consumers with knowledge to ensure that their needs, safety, and fairness as consumer are always prioritized.
Additionally, Trade department reminds consumers that aside from giving feedback to improve products and services, they also have a responsibility to be informed by exercising their critical awareness, taking action, showing social concern, being environmentally aware and demonstrating solidarity.
“If you’re not satisfied with a product or service, it’s essential to ask questions and you need to return to the establishment where you made your purchase because taking action is important and sometimes, the solution is actually very simple,” Argente said.
To further assist consumers with their concerns, DTI said that there are now consumer welfare desks in malls, car dealership establishments, supermarkets and other business establishments to help them easily access the department’s services and assist them with their complaints.
Aside from this, DTI established an online dispute system to allow electronic filing of consumer complaint to enable the parties to resolve their dispute without the need for physical presence during the proceedings.
“We aspire for our business environment and the businesses here in our country to be more responsive and responsible. That is what we hope to achieve with their help and support,” Argente added. (CO/PIA-4A)