Tacloban: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Leyte provincial office formalized a partnership with various government agencies and private organizations under the Consumer Network (ConsumerNet) to enhance consumer protection and promote confidence in online and cross-border transactions.
According to Philippines News Agency, during the signing of a memorandum of agreement at the Robinsons North, DTI Leyte provincial director Fautino Gayas Jr. stated that partner agencies committed to participate in policy consultations and strategy planning related to consumer complaint management. These agencies will share best practices, cooperate in developing efficient referral systems, and uphold transparency through proper data management standards, Gayas explained.
The signing coincided with the 15th anniversary of ConsumerNet’s founding and was also part of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration. Gayas emphasized that through this partnership, DTI Leyte and its ConsumerNet partners reaffirmed their commitment to building a more responsive and consumer-friendly environment. The strengthened network aims to institutionalize inter-agency cooperation, ensuring that consumer complaints are addressed promptly and effectively.
Each partner agency will designate a focal person to ensure seamless coordination and the sharing of information for faster resolution of consumer complaints. Under Department Administrative Order No. 20-05, the DTI is tasked to implement the Philippine Online Dispute Resolution System, a web-based consumer complaints portal that interlinks government agencies mandated to handle consumer-related concerns. This initiative aims to boost transparency, efficiency, and coordination in consumer complaint handling nationwide.
This initiative supports the Philippines’ contribution to the ASEAN Economic Community’s goal of promoting higher consumer confidence and trust in cross-border commercial transactions. ConsumerNet members include the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Food and Drug Administration, Save the Children, Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs Tacloban, and Leyte II Electric Cooperative.
