25/09/2026
๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ก
The Eastern Samar Consumer Network (ConsumerNet) strengthened its inter-agency collaboration as government agencies convened for its Consumer Network Collaboration Meeting on September 25, 2026 at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Eastern Samar Provincial Office, Borongan City.
The meeting brought together representatives from various government agencies and local offices, including DTI, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), local Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), Public Market Office, National Food Authority (NFA), City Tourism Office, Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial Health Office, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The meeting focused on strengthening coordination among member-agencies in preparation for the 2026 Consumer Welfare Month celebration this October. DTI Eastern Samar OIC-Provincial Director Mary Gwyndele O. Ponferrada expressed appreciation for the continued support of partner agencies and encouraged the network to strengthen collaboration, share relevant developments and concerns, and identify practical ways to better protect and empower consumers.
Several consumer-related concerns and initiatives were also discussed during the meeting. These included reports of varying or higher transportation rates, particularly at night, and concerns regarding passenger drop-off practices. The network agreed to document and coordinate these concerns with appropriate local officers and stakeholders. Other agencies reported ongoing efforts on the enforcement of grain standards, promotion of the practice of asking for official receipts, monitoring of suspected or fake v**e products, verification of permits for marine products, and proper display of price tags in public markets.
As part of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration, the ConsumerNet will hold a launch and consumer awareness motorcade on October 1. Streamers and banners will also be displayed in participating establishments, Bagwis awardee establishments, partner agencies, and other appropriate public places to promote consumer awareness throughout the month.
The ConsumerNet also reaffirmed its commitment to sustain consumer protection efforts beyond the October celebration. Among the agreed actions are the review of applicable city and public market ordinances relevant to consumer protection and market monitoring, continued monitoring of suspected or fake v**e products by CIDG in coordination with BIR and DTI, and coordination on transportation-related consumer concerns. Member-agencies likewise recognized the importance of considering resources for consumer welfare activities in succeeding years, subject to their respective budget and planning processes.
Through strengthened inter-agency cooperation, the ConsumerNet seeks to ensure that consumers in Eastern Samar are informed, protected, and heard. #
