The DTI's Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) accorded the 22 establishments with the agency's seal of excellence for "upholding consumer rights and ethical business practices" in simple awarding rites at a hotel here this morning.
"These seals essentially symbolize the continuing efforts of these business establishments to promote the rights of the consumers and practice responsible business, where consumers indeed get value for money," said Carmen Avendano, consumer welfare division chief of BTRCP central office.
A bronze award is given to companies that comply with trade and industry laws and maintain consumer welfare desks or DTI-recognized customer service counters. A
silver award is given to stores which institutionalize social responsibility in their operations. The DTI gave out this morning a silver and 21 bronze seals.
This year's bronze seal awardees are: Starbright Office Depot, Better Homes, Tropical Motorama, Emcor, Imperial Appliance, MICEI, Gillamac's Marketing and Fiesta Appliance in General Santos City; Swana store, Kimsan Plaza and Emcor in Tacurong City; Rodtrak Autoserve in Cotabato City; SOC Hardware, Emcor and FVM Store in Kiamba, Sarangani; Malandag Trading in Malungon, Sarangani; VAK Enterprises in Alabel, Sarangani; Marin Auto Repair, Isulan Central Plaza and Emcor in Isulan, Sultan
Kudarat; and, Adofel's Supermarket in Koronadal City.
Avendano said they would require the recipient-establishments to post their seals, which also represent the DTI's certification, at the main entrance or at any conspicuous part of their store or outlets.
Last year, the agency awarded bronze seals to at least 15 stores, which includes this year's silver seal recipient Ace Centerpoint department store in Koronadal City. Ace is the first establishment in the region bestowed the silver seal.
The region covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Kidapawan, Cotabato, Koronadal and Tacurong.