BALANGA City, Bataan: The Department of Trade and Industry on Monday held at the public market here seminars for consumers as culminating activity of the two-day exhibit on Consumer Welfare Month celebration.

The first seminar sought to educate consumers of their rights and obligations. The second was a seminar on product standards attended by hardware owners, municipal engineers and contractors involved in the construction business.

Some officers of the Philippine Product Safety Quality Foundation (PPSQF) lectured on products with mandatory standards.

“We held the exhibit and seminar to make consumers be aware of their rights,” said DTI provincial director Yay Lasam.

On display near the consumer desk of the Balanga City market are various products, mostly on construction, like galvanized iron sheets, ceramics, wires, flat glass and aluminum, among some others.

Lasam said that the exhibit displayed not only products with standards but also substandard ones “so consumers will know the difference.”

Stressed Victoria Padilla, PPSQF executive director: “If you are having a house built, remind your architect, engineer and contractor that the house you are going to build should stay on and one your children can inherit.”

She advised consumers to be very discriminating and buy only products of good quality.
Padilla said that they have 32 members manufacturing products with mandatory standards mostly in the field of construction.

During the two-day activity, DTI also accepted the tagging of motorcycle helmets. Lasam said that the free sticker given by DTI as mandated by the “Helmet law” will last until December 30 this year.

“After this, the Land Transportation Office will begin apprehending motorcycle riders whose helmets are without stickers,” she said.

Engr. Noli Dizon, Balanga City Public market administrator, welcomed the participants.