CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Republic Act No.7394 is known as the CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES. This act protects and give the rights of the consumer. In the interpretation and implementation of the provisions of this act the best interest of consumer shall be considered. This act is very useful because it develops and provides safety and quality standards for consumer products. It protect the public against unreasonable risks to injury associated with consumer products.
This Act shall be enforced not only by the Department of Health with respect to food, drugs, cosmetics, devices and substances but also by the Department of Agriculture with respect to product related to agriculture, and by the Department of Trade and Industry with respect to other consumer products. Each departments will help to ensure that the product are safe to the consumer. They are responsible in finding or checking if the consumer products are injurious, unsafe and dangerous, including the imported products, and let the consumer to be aware or alert the consumer about this. The concerned departments shall make a list of new consumer product. Any interested person may petition the appropriate department to commence a proceeding for the issuance of an amendment or revocation of a consumer product safety rule or an order declaring a consumer product injurious and unsafe. Any persons who will violate any provisions of this Act will have a penalties depending on its violation.
The State shall promote and encourage fair, honest and equitable relations among parties in consumer transactions and protect the consumer against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts or practices. Grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one side in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.
To improve the management, coordination and effectiveness of consumer programs, a National Consumer Affairs Council was being created. The council composed of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, Culture and Sports, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, four representatives from consumer organization of nationwide based to be chosen by the President from among the nominees submitted by the various consumer groups in the Philippines, and two representatives from business/industry sector to be chosen by the President from among the nominees submitted by the various business organizations. The council have the power to recommend new policies and legislation or amendments to existing ones.
The DECS shall develop and adopt consumer education which will be part of the curricula of all public and private schools. This will help the consumer to be a responsible consumer of the society and develop its critical awareness, assertiveness, social concern, environmental awareness, consumer's right and practical problems the consumer faces in daily life.