The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental is working to institutionalize the Consumers’ Network, a collaborative initiative that will bring together government agencies, advocacy groups, and media organizations to streamline consumer complaints and provide quicker resolutions.
DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson Jade Krystle Bato said the network aims to make handling consumer concerns more efficient by connecting agencies and offices directly involved in consumer welfare.
“Basically, these are the institutions that consumers approach to elevate their concerns and complaints, and we hope to provide them with better services if the Consumers’ Network is institutionalized,” Bato said in an interview.
The network, conceptualized and loosely organized last year, is now being pushed for formalization through a memorandum of agreement or an executive order, with the provincial government expected to take the lead.
Once finalized, consumer-related complaints—such as issues on mall shopping, food deliveries, driver’s licenses, and other services—will be addressed faster by the appropriate agencies.
A meeting among network members is scheduled for Sept. 19 as part of preparations for the celebration of Consumer Month in October.
