Press Release
December 31, 2007

ANGARA PUSHES FOR A CONSUMER GOODS MONITORING BODY

In light of the increase in trade caused by holiday spending, Senator Edgardo Angara reminds consumers of their rights to safe and quality products and pushes for the creation of a consumer goods monitoring body.

According to Senator Angara, there is a heightened need for a consumer goods monitoring body as people are spending more to purchase various goods and gift items during this holiday season.

The senator has earlier proposed an interagency body that will monitor consumer goods for product defects and health threats, among other things. This was because of the issue of Chinese products with formaldehyde and lead circulating in the market.

"We want to ensure the safety of our consumers," said Senator Angara.

"Perhaps an interagency committee, with the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) as members and with the DTI as the lead agency could better scrutinize and monitor the product defects and health threats of the consumer goods in the market," said Senator Angara

Currently, the DTI monitors industrial goods while the BFAD monitors food products.

According to the senator "A committee solely focused on consumer goods monitoring - both for food and non-food products - will provide a better scrutiny of the products in the market. This will also provide better coordination among the agencies charged with consumer goods monitoring,"

"The interagency committee can also function as a consumer complaints committee, which will receive consumer complaints," pointed out the senator.

"In the United States , a Bureau of Consumer Protection is set up to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. It conducts investigations, educates consumers and businesses about their rights, and even sues companies and people who violate trade practices and laws," said Senator Angara.

"More importantly, this bureau not only receives, but encourages consumers to report their complaints on products," Senator Angara said.

"Perhaps the interagency committee can perform similar functions," said Senator Angara.

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