DTI ramps up anti-red tape measures

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to ramp up its anti-red tape measures by implementing a no-wrong-door policy to provide an efficient consumer redress.

Through the no-wrong-door policy initiative, the DTI entertains and facilitates all consumer-related queries and complaints even if these do not fall under the agency’s jurisdiction.

“To ensure immediate assistance to consumers, the DTI opens its channels to accept all kinds of queries and complaints and facilitates them for response of either the Department of Health or Department of Agriculture,” DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau’s officer-in-charge for director Ferdinand Manfoste said.

He said Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines specifies that the government should protect the interests of the consumers, promote their general welfare and establish standards of conduct for business and industry through the DOH with respect to food, drugs, cosmetics, devices and substances; the DA with respect to products related to agriculture; and the DTI with respect to other consumer products not specified above.

“The DTI accommodates all calls, text messages, emails, tweets, posts concerning product and service inquiries and reports and immediately acts on them, whether it is under its jurisdiction or under the DOH or DA. Usually, the department’s intervention hastens the necessary response and action, which resolves a consumer’s issue immediately,” Trade Undersecretary Teodoro Pascua said.

As of end-October, the DTI received 48 complaints that are under the other two departments.

Through its facilitation with the DOH and DA, the agency said 43 of the complaints were immediately resolved.

Meanwhile, the DTI continues to warn the public to be wary of fraud promos circulating via text message, social media, or print materials especially this holiday season.