MINERVA BC NEWMAN
TAGBILARAN CITY – The business sector in Bohol with some 30 representatives from various categories of business establishments attended the briefing orientation on consumer welfare desk (CWD) and Bagwis Award on April 27 and financial literacy on April 26 from the workers’ organizations and labor unions both of which were conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bohol.
DTI-Bohol provincial director, Maria Soledad Balistoy thanked the participants coming from the appliance centers, service and repair shops, hardware stores, car dealers, convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, specialty stores and others for accepting the challenge to take their businesses to another level of commitment to practice responsible business for the welfare and benefits of the consumers.
“To our Bagwis certified establishments, I hope you will take this by heart and make this your long-term commitment to provide quality products and the best service to your customers. It is our aim that you will be able to rise from your current level of Bagwis certification,” Balistoy said.
She added that for those that are new to this program, she hopes that they will be able to understand the importance of being a Bagwis awardee and having a Consumer Welfare Desk in their respective establishments.
Jose Hibaya, Chief of DTI Bohol Consumer Protection Division (CPD) gave the rationale and the Objectives and Procedures of Setting up a CWD and Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Mary Lou Torreon presented the Operating Guidelines.
The DTI-Bagwis Program awards establishments that uphold the rights of consumers while practicing responsible business where consumers get value for money. Bronze, silver and gold are level of awards for this program.
These are granted based on certain criteria or parameters that include compliance to fair trade laws, compliance to price tag law, customer relations, store management operations, socially committed and responsible business sector, and ISO 9001 compliant.
DTI-Bohol has 80 certified Bagwis business establishments, 67 of which are in the Bronze level, nine are in the Silver level, and four are in the Gold level. These establishments are also being reassessed by DTI to ensure compliance with the standards set by the program.
Meanwhile, the training on financial literacy was attended by 30 representatives from the workers’ organizations and labor unions in Bohol, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Bohol under its Workers Organization Development Program (WODP).
The program aims to support the development and upgrading of the capabilities of workers’ organizations and their members with topics ranging from budgeting, savings and investment, debt management, and mandatory government insurance and its benefits.
DTI Bohol continues to facilitate access to services, trainings to create more job opportunities for MSMEs in the province through its Negosyo Centers and partner agencies.
