DTI confers Bagwis Award to 15 businesses in Bicol

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Mar. 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office here has cited 15 business establishments that have manifested and practiced fair business and upheld the rights and welfare of consumers.

The business ventures operating in different provinces in the Bicol Region were conferred the Bagwis Awards, a program recognized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the Asean Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP) as one of the best practices of the country in Consumer Protection, said Jocelyn Blanco, DTI 5 regional director.

The Bagwis awards program is given to establishment with Consumer Welfare Desks in business places that should provide accessible and speedy resolution of complaints to consumers.

For 2012, DTI 5 awarded the Silver and Bronze Bagwis Seal of Excellence after having met the criteria.

DTI Silver Seal of Excellence were conferred to Olivan Builders’ Center (Cam. Sur), ACC Hypermart (Catanduanes), CTL Trading (Catanduanes), Catanduanes Supermart (Catanduanes), Virac Fortune Enterprises (Catanduanes), One Centro Store (Sorsogon), RVT Merchandising (Camarines Norte), Centro Department Store (Camarines Norte), and Willy and Sons Corporation Service Center (Albay).

DTI Bronze Seal of Excellence meanwhile were awarded to Chase Distribution, Inc. (Albay), Willy and Sons Corporation (Albay), Ten Seven General Merchandise (Masbate), S.V. Ang Hardware Corporation (Masbate), Nagaland E-Mall (Camarines Sur), and Lisam Enterprises (Camarines Sur).

The winners received their awards in time for the celebration of the World Consumer Rights Day last March 15, 2013 at La Roca Veranda Suites and Restaurant here.

DTI 5, according to Blanco, is very much pleased and remains optimistic that more and more establishments will recognize the need to obtain the Bagwis Seal not only to help consumers and enterprises, but most importantly, to help themselves grow as model businesses. (JCBerango/DTI5/MAL-PIA5)