The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is reinforcing consumer protection efforts in Central Luzon through proactive price monitoring, strengthened partnerships with local government units (LGUs) and consumer organizations, and the implementation of an online dispute resolution system.
During the fourth episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas hosted by the Philippine Information Agency, DTI Regional Director Edna Dizon emphasized the agency’s ongoing commitment to price regulation and product compliance, especially for essential goods. She highlighted the vital role of Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCCs), with 131 out of 137 LGUs in the region actively monitoring market prices.
“In fact, the LPCCs are composed of various agencies, private and local, to really monitor the prices of basic commodities, especially in the public markets,” Dizon stated.
DTI also collaborates with the agricultural sector to stabilize prices of essential goods like rice while enforcing consumer protection laws to safeguard buyers from unfair practices. The agency’s consumer complaint mediation has maintained a 100% resolution rate from 2023 to 2024, ensuring swift action on reported violations.
To further improve consumer protection, DTI launched the Philippine Online Dispute Resolution System (PODRS), enabling consumers to file complaints online for faster and more accessible resolutions. In 2024 alone, 220 complaints were successfully addressed through PODRS.
With these initiatives, DTI continues to uphold consumer welfare in Central Luzon, promoting fair trade, market transparency, and economic stability.
