DTI: New rules to recognize consumer organizations out

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has released new rules for the recognition of consumer organizations (COs) to encourage more groups to enlist with the agency and play an active role in policies and programs.

Under DTI’s Department Administrative Order 20-07 signed on Oct.9, all existing DTI-recognized COs would be automatically enlisted in the agency’s register of COs free of charge, while other COs may enlist by filling out a form and paying P150.

Enlisted COs would be recognized as either a local CO or national CO.

A local CO should have at least five members, including its officers majority of which are Filipinos and at least one year of proven track record with actual record of activities or programs undertaken as certified by at least a barangay chairman.

Meanwhile, a national CO should be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or Cooperative Development Authority, and have at least 30 members.

In the DTI’s guidelines on recognition of COs released in 2017, a local CO based in a municipality would have at least seven members and those based in the city would have a minimum of 20 members, while a national CO should be based in either Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao with at least 40 members, and have at least one active affiliated chapter in any of the two major geographical areas.

Under the new guidelines, COs would be given a certificate of recognition valid for three years unless cancelled or suspended.

The certificate of recognition would be awarded every March and October of each year, during the celebration of the World Consumer Rights’ Day and Consumer Welfare Month, respectively.

“We recognized the need to revisit the guidelines on COs to encourage more organizations to enlist with the DTI and revitalize their involvement in the development of policies and programs. A recognized CO will be included in the list of recognized COs which will be posted on the DTI website and will be provided consumer information materials among others,” Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said.

At present, there are 10 locally recognized COs in the country.

“The DTI recognizes the importance of the involvement and participation of COs in every aspect of promoting consumer rights and responsibilities and other consumer-related programs. It enjoins all COs in the country to enlist with the DTI with a minimal fee, and we will work hand in hand to further strengthen consumer awareness,” Marimel Dancel Porciuncula, officer-in-charge at the DTI –  Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau said.