DAVAO CITY – Thirty-three business establishments in Davao Region will be the recipients of the 2021 Bagwis Seal from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11.
The conferment of recognition signifies that the awardees have met the qualifications and the set standards in upholding the rights and welfare of consumers. This is alongside their constant practice of responsible business operation where consumers get the best value for money.
DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi shared that the awarding, which is tentatively scheduled for July or August this year, is the agency’s way of showing its appreciation to the business sector for being its ally in promoting consumer protection.
“We want to emphasize that protecting consumers is everyone’s business. Whether you are a micro-entrepreneur or a multi-national firm, you have the responsibility to institutionalize mechanisms on how to satisfy your customers. This is exactly the very reason why the DTI Bagwis Award highlights those that consistently embrace the value of consumer protection,” the trade official said.
Ambi added that the Bagwis Award is among DTI’s initiatives that aim to encourage business establishments to consistently adhere to the existing fair trade laws (FTLs) and become more responsible in their operation.
Part of the agency’s mandate is on consumer protection; hence, it implements programs that will empower them, including various consumer advocacy campaign strategies.
“We commit to promote the continued safety and protection of consumers by intensifying our advocacy campaigns. We do these through consumer education seminars and webinars, dissemination of information materials throughout the region, and production and posting of video clips on our social media pages. We also partner with some private institutions to reach a wider audience and educate more consumers,” Ambi said.
The trade official further shared that one important content of the said campaign is the promotion of the Bagwis program to prospective business establishments. This emphasizes the importance of complying with the FTLs, particularly in handling consumer complaints and implementing their respective corporate social responsbility (CSR) program in the community. Ambi noted that this will help them in keeping up with the changing business environment, which is expected to result in enticing more customers to patronize their products, thereby, benefitting them in return.
The Bagwis Award is open to supermarkets, department and specialty stores, appliance centers, hardware shops, and DTI-accredited service and repair shops. To give context to the recognition, Ambi explained that “bagwis” is the Filipino term for ”wing” which implies that consumers are protected when patronizing business establishments that are recipients of such an award.
For 2022, 32 business establishments are targetted to be assessed and validated according to the qualifications and requirements of the Bagwis Award. In the meantime, seven are already identified as official nominees: six from Davao de Norte and one from Davao Oriental. They were already endorsed to the Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) on June 6 for final evaluation. Meanwhile, five nominees are still awaiting approval from the Regional Bagwis Committee.
Ambi expressed optimism that more business establishments will be interested to apply for the Bagwis Award and obtain their seal.
“They can take pride in displaying the Bagwis seal inside their store since this means that they have been true to their commitment to protect consumers. The management of these establishments need not worry about the process since our field offices are ready to assist and guide them. They will be given seminars on consumer rights and responsibilities and how to properly address consumer complaints,” Ambi said, adding that this move will help them increase customer satisfaction and boost customer retention
She encouraged those who would like to know more about the program to reach out to any of the DTI offices or Negosyo Centers near them. The business owners may likewise contact their official Facebook pages.-PR
