DID YOU know that it was World Consumer Rights Day on March 15?
Yes it was, two weeks ago – and ironically on that day consumers reeled from another round of fuel price hike (the 11th time this year). The increase was about P12 more per liter for diesel and around P7 more for gasoline. And consumers couldn’t do anything to stop it.
What do our election candidates – most especially those running for national positions – plan to do to protect the rights of consumers? Do they even have a consumers’ protection agenda?
Consumers have the right to the satisfaction of basic needs, the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, the right to be heard, the right to redress, the right to consumer education, and the right to a healthy environment.
We hope those running for congressional or Senate seats will strengthen the Consumer Act of the Philippines. Stronger consumer protection laws will prevent market abuse, ensure fair play and justice, and safeguard the public health and the environment.
Seven years ago, on December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection which, among other things, acknowledged “access to essential goods and services, and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers as new consumer legitimate needs.” The guidelines can be localized by Congress.
Adequate consumer protection can directly support the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals relating to ending hunger and improving nutrition by supporting access to safe, affordable and healthy diets; to health and well-being by protecting consumers from unsafe products that cause illness or injury and expanding access to effective pharmaceuticals.
We expect those running for public elective positions to advance measures that protect basic consumers’ rights, especially the poor.
