LAGAWE, IFUGAO– Hard-pressed consumers of Ifugao found a strong ally in the battle against practices of unscrupulous traders as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Ifugao Office disclosed recently its plan to conduct a province-wide information and monitoring project aimed at protecting them during these difficult economic times.
To achieve this noteworthy goal the DTI-Ifugao Office is tapping the services of the dedicated men and women of the ConsumerNet Core Group.
Principally, the DTI-Ifugao Office-backed project entails the dissemination of vital information on the government’s efforts to address the problems brought forth by the surge of price increases of basic commodities following the implementation of the Tax Reform Act.
“It is an appropriate act to enlighten our people and ultimately protect them,” DTI Provincial Director Valentin Baguidudol said.
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, Baguidudol underscored the vitality of safeguarding the welfare of the public at all times, while defining his office’s role in the planned project as “work on educating the people on the legal framework of the new tax measure vis-à-vis consumer rights and keep price movements within the bounds of the law.”
The ConsumerNet Core Group held recently a planning workshop in Lagawe. The whole-day activity drew the participation of 10 individuals from the public and private sectors. Among them was Lagawe Senior Citizens Association president Miguel Dimalnat Sr. The Ifugao Vendors Association was also represented.
As of press time, the ConsumerNet Core Group is focused on inspecting major business establishments in remote areas of the province.
This means on-site inspection of groceries and other-related outlets in Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Asipulo, Mayoyao and Tinoc. Only Asipulo town belongs to the province’s geographical first district.
Once completed, the ConsumerNet Core Group will have already covered a significant section of Ifugao’s so-called distant municipalities.
Baguidudol explained to the ZigZag Weekly the efforts of his office to reach out to non-government organizations and local government units on consumer rights concerns and put in place mechanisms through positive actions.
Baguidudol, a long-time consumer rights advocate in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), had high praises for how ConsumerNet Core Group members in this impoverished province “integrated well and exemplified the values of vigilant consumers.”
Recognized and cited for his pioneering efforts to improve the conditions of entrepreneurs in this part of the nation, Baguidudol continued to attract support for his initiatives geared on empowering cash-strapped consumers.
Baguidudol also distinguished himself in the field of advancing the cause of the Go Negosyo program in the province.
Ifugao clearly stands to benefit from the project in so many ways.
Foremost, consumer rights are promoted.
A number of concerned residents and people’s organizations leaders expressed support for the DTI-Ifugao Office’s initiative.
“I just hope and pray that they shall accomplish their goals because there is no doubt that the stakes are high,” Barangay Poblacion North Kagawad Ericson Inhumang said.
Apart from inspecting price tags, the ConsumerNet Core Group team members are likely to look closely on possible overpricing and hoarding of goods. Expectations are high that they are not to ignore or downplay instances when expired produce are still being sold to the public.
Making the rounds of medium to large-sized groceries and reporting the conditions on the ground without fear or favor is deemed crucial in making an impact or real difference in promoting the best interest of consumers.
At the end of the day, ConsumerNet Core Group members who are associated with the government should inhibit themselves in penning official reports so as not to plant seeds of doubt. The people consequently suffer because they don’t get a fair and accurate account of good conduct of businessmen or lack of it.
They are carrying a big responsibility of reporting erring business owners even if they are their relatives or have links with powerful officials. In short, they cannot forego the opportunity of bringing the task of checking the excesses of wayward traders to the highest level.
For ConsumerNet Core Group project facilitators, they have to reach a complicated formula of interlocking approach to ensure that goals are attained. For one, blood ties among politicians and businessmen are strong. It is then difficult to resolve trade practices violations.
The government harped on the need to impose the tax law as a means of increasing revenues required largely to sustain its ambitious Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. The fact is that while prices of most goods and services went up significantly, wages of low and middle-income earners are practically at a standstill. The sadder reality is that the purchasing power of the peso is at its lowest level. The saddest reality is that many in Ifugao are so poor.
The development of efficient monitoring strategies is important in determining various kinds of societal effects brought about the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act Law. One useful mode is educating first the facilitators on the essence and rudiments of inflation, poverty incidence and other micro and macro-economic indicators.
The ConsumerNet Core group will also come up with a way to interact with municipal and barangay government officials.
The DTI-Ifugao Office is footing the bill for the project.
Government agencies involved in this project includes the Department of Agriculture-Provincial Veterinary Office, Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government and National Food Administration.
While it is perfectly understood that most of the project facilitators are working in the government, they must bear in mind that the people’s well-being is of prime importance.
Assuming violations are seen during the inspection, how is the provincial government likely to react to it? That would be embarrassing. A watered-down report falls short of genuinely resolving the problem. It is utterly unrealistic, unthinkable and unacceptable.** By Anthony A. Araos
