Abstract

ABSTRACT

As a developing Southeast Asian nation, the Philippines has experienced economic growth, leading to challenges in ensuring consumer protection. This study reviewed the level of implementation of the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Act) and explored insights into its plausible future. This used both quantitative and qualitative components. This was conducted in Capiz. For the survey, respondents comprised consumers buying in Roxas City supermarkets and grocery stores selling basic commodities. For Focus Group Discussion (FGD), business owner representatives, Department of Trade and Industry implementers, and consumer organization members participated. For the challenges encountered in the Act’s implementation, respondents believed that the law protects their rights, but they lacked awareness of how to enforce it with perceived weaknesses in the Act’s effectiveness in enforcing penalties. For the level of implementation, respondents believed that the Act effectively ensured the quality and safety of consumer products in the market, reduced deceptive, unfair, and conscionable sales acts or practices, provided efficient resolution for valid warranty claims, protected against misleading or deceptive packaging techniques, holds businesses accountable for product and service imperfection, prevents misleading advertisements and fraudulent sales promotion practices, regulates service and repair enterprises, and ensures effective consumer complaints handling. Consumers perceived that the Act's provision on penalties was inadequate, ineffective in addressing broader issues, inadequate provision on warranties, labeling, and fair packaging, and no provision on claims for damages, with gaps in addressing issues on sales promotion, service, and consumer complaints handling. Participants highlighted the need to promote consumer education, clearer guidelines on acceptable sales practices, and areas for improvement in online marketplaces, consumer awareness, and enhanced enforcement capabilities. Overall, strengthened consumer advocacy, enforcement training, and education, provision of harsher penalties, collaboration with other stakeholders, enhanced screening measures on online shopping platforms, and streamlined online dispute resolutions.

Keywords

Philippines Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Plausible future Insights Consumer act