Consumer Act of the Philippines

Article 153

The Council shall have the following powers and functions: a) to rationalize and coordinate the functions of the agencies charged with consumer programs and enforcement of consumer related laws to the end that an effective, coordinated and integrated system of consumer protection, research and implementation and enforcement of such laws shall be achieved; b) to recommend new policies and legislation or amendments to existing ones; c) to monitor and evaluate implementation of consumer programs and projects and to take appropriate steps to ensure that concerned agencies take appropriate steps to comply with the established priorities, standards and guidelines; d) to seek the assistance of government instrumentalities in the form of augmenting the need for personnel, facilities and other resources; e) to undertake a continuing education and information campaign to provide the consumer with, among others: 1) facts about consumer products and services; 2) consumer rights and the mechanism for redress available to him; 3) information on new concepts and developments on consumer protection; and 4) general knowledge and awareness necessary for a critical and better judgment on consumption; 5) such other matters of importance to the consumer's general well-being.

Article 154

The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, with the cooperation and advice of the Council, shall develop and adopt a consumer education program which shall be integrated into existing curricula of all public and private schools from primary to secondary levels. A continuing consumer education program for out-of-school youth and adults shall likewise be developed and undertaken. The consumer education program shall include information regarding: a) the consumer as a responsible member of society and his responsibility to develop: 1) critical awareness which is the responsibility to be alert and questioning about the use of and the price and quality of goods he uses; 2) assertiveness which is the responsibility to assert himself and act so he is assured of a fair deal, aware that for as long as he remains to be a passive consumer he will continue to be exploited; 3) social concern which is the responsibility to be aware of the impact of his consumption on other citizens, especially the disadvantaged; and 4) environmental awareness which is the responsibility to understand the environmental consequences of his consumption, recognizing his individual and social responsibility to conserve natural resources for future generations; b) consumer rights; and c) practical problems the consumer faces in daily life.

Article 155

The concerned departments shall continue to exercise the powers and duties provided to them under existing laws, unless repealed or modified accordingly.

Article 156

The Departments shall establish procedures for meaningful participation by consumers or consumer organizations in the development and review of department rules, policies and programs. Such procedures shall include provisions for a forum, where consumers can express their concerns and recommendations to decision makers. The departments shall exert efforts to inform consumers of pending proceedings where their participation is important.

Article 157

The departments shall render advisory services upon request. Technical and legal assistance shall be made available to consumers and their organizations and to the general public.

Article 158

Each concerned Department shall formulate and develop a consumer program consonant with the objectives of its charter or the applicable laws which program shall embody the standards set forth in Sections 156 and 157 of this Act. Copies of these program shall be furnished the Council. The Executive Director shall, among his other functions, monitor and coordinate the implementation by the concerned agencies of their respective consumer programs. After the close of the fiscal year, the Council shall submit to Congress and the Office of the President, a full report on the progress of the implementation of consumer programs.