CEBU CITY, March 18 (PIA) ---The Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) encouraged shops in the region to participate in the
“Bagwis” Seal of Excellence Awards 2014.
According to DTI Central Visayas
Regional Director Asteria Caberte, “a shop that carries the DTI Seal of
Excellence is a certified responsible establishment that upholds the rights and
welfare of consumers.”
The "Bagwis (local term for feather or wing)" Seal of Excellence certification is part of DTI's Bagwis program and one of the best practicess of the country in consumer protection that is being recognized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asean Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP).
The DTI Bagwis is a Certified Establishment Program (Bagwis Awards) that aims to promote and foster the highest level of business ethics and uphold a fair and honest marketplace through voluntary self-regulation and service excellence.
Caberte added that the program gives due recognition to establishments that practice fair business and uphold the rights and welfare of consumers.
The Bagwis seal will guide the consumers and it assures them in purchasing safe and quality products and services, and getting the best value for their money, said the DTI official.
The seal was formerly known to be as a DTI-certified establishment. Now, the Bagwis seal is classified further classified into gold, silver and bronze.
Various parameters are measured in order for the establishments to qualify for the seal; from supermarkets, department stores, appliance centers to hardware stores and DTI accredited service and repair shops.
For the bronze seal, establishments must comply with fair trade laws like consumer act, price act, price tag law and consumer welfare desk or recognized customer service counter.
The silver seal, on the other hand, involves an additional criteria to meet such as; compliance with social responsibilities that includes sound purchasing policy, good working relationship with the government by participating in the national or local government programs such as price stabilization and livelihood programs.
And for the gold seal, establishments must meet the additional requirement of ISO 9001/Quality Management System Compliance.
In screening nominees, the DTI partners with the private sectors such as the Philippine Retailers Association, Philippine Product Safety & Quality Foundation, Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association, Philippine Association of Supermarkets, Inc., Phil. Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Federation of Philippine Industries and Nationwide Association of Consumers, Inc.
The application form can be downloaded at www.dti.gov.ph or obtained from the nearest office of DTI. (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu/DTI7)