Amidst the spiraling increases in the prices of basic goods and services, there is a significant rise in revitalized efforts from consumers to assert the issue of consumer protection and empowerment, Power Watch Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said in a statement.
“Our advocacy involves the practice of safeguarding the buyers and consumers of goods and essential services and the public against unfair trade practices in the marketplace,” he said.
Unfortunately, consumer protection measures established by law, are not being faithfully implemented. These laws are intended to prevent businesses from engaging in fraud or unfair trade practices to mislead consumers, Sancho added.
The establishment of a consumer protection movement shall provide protection for the general public that may be impacted by the product or services imbued with public interest like water and electricity, particularly in areas like food and transportation, where public health or safety is an issue. Consumer protection is closely associated with the rights and welfare of the consumers and to the formation of consumer advocacy groups, which helps consumers make better choices in the marketplace and pursue complaints against businesses if and when it is necessary, he said.
Sancho emphasized that as a consumer advocate, this initiative of asserting consumer protection, signifies a strategic leap towards paving the way for a vigorous consumer protection movement with the creation of an alliance that will galvanize the collective strength of the consumers.
Power Watch Negros is posing a challenge for “consumers to unite in our resolve and in our quest for consumers’ protection, for in that quest, lies the promise of redemption, a redemption that can only be achieved through consumer empowerment,” Sancho said.
This laudable effort is necessary to alleviate tensions and pave the way for a mutually beneficial collaboration between the businesses and the consumers, which is a pragmatic step towards a more stable and prosperous partnership, that will enhance consumer protection in compliance with the policy of State “to protect the interests of the consumers and reforming the practices of the corporations on the policies of the government”, he said in the press release.
The group will issue a Consumers’ Covenant on this concern soon, Sancho concluded.*
