ILOILO City – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 6 (Western Visayas) has conferred the “Bagwis Award” to 37 establishments for practicing fair business and upholding the rights and welfare of consumers.
Rebecca Rascon, DTI-6 regional director, personally presented the seals of excellence to the establishments in an awarding ceremony held at The Venue, Smallville Complex here Wednesday.
Rascon said these establishments were recognized because they have strictly adhered to various consumer laws and established their Consumer Welfare Desks (CWDs) or an equivalent customer relations office that provides information to consumers and serves as a mechanism for the speedy resolution of consumer complaints.
“We hope that you will continue to do good practices to assure safe and quality products and service to your consumers and even level up,” she told the awardees.
“Bagwis” is a local term for feather or wing. The “Bagwis Award” has three categories – gold, silver and bronze.
The two branches of the Supervalue, Inc. or the SM Supermarket in the districts of Mandurriao and City proper in this city were conferred with the gold seal, a repeat of their achievement last year.
Meanwhile, 21 establishments were silver awardees – six outlets of Sanford Marketing in Negros Occidental; six outlets of Iloilo Supermart, Inc. in Iloilo; three branches of 7-Eleven in Negros Occidental; Toyota Aklan, Inc. (Aklan); LVS Commercial (Antique); Laxmi Automotive Services and Parts (Capiz); HLH Marketing, Inc. (Capiz); EDE Engineering Enterprise (Antique); and Prince Hypermart (Iloilo).
Under the bronze category, 14 establishments were awarded, the seven branches of 7-Eleven in Iloilo; Ace Hardware Philipppines (Aklan); UYPH Retal, Inc. (Aklan); Du Ek Sam Inc. (Antique); Oxord Computer Solutions (Capiz); Puregold Price Club, Inc. (Iloilo); Bluefields Trading Post Inc. (Iloilo); and Iloilo Supermart-Molo (Iloilo).
DTI here has partnered with some local government units through their Business Permits and Licensing Office (BLPO) and with other private sectors, such as Consumer Organization and Philippine Retailers Association-Iloilo to screen the nominees.
Establishments with the bronze seal have complied with Fair Trade Laws (FTLs), among them the Consumer Act, Price Act, Price Tag and effective customer relations services and efficient store management operations.
Establishments with the silver seal, on the other hand, have passed additional criteria, such as exemplification of social commitment and responsibility, for instance involvement in any regular corporate social responsibility programs.
Companies with the gold seal have passed additional criterion — the establishment of quality orientation management.
Michelle Aguadera, operations manager of SM supermarket expressed gladness for another recognition given to them after they were reassessed by DTI two months ago.
“We really aim to maintain our gold seal because this is a benchmark for us to show the customers that we are really complying with the requirements of DTI. At the same time, we are providing 100 percent customer service,” she said.
Aguadera assured that they will continue to comply with the requirements of DTI and provide quality service and products to their consumers. (PNA)
