THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday enjoined retail establishments to secure the Bagwis Seal of Excellence as an assurance to consumers that they are following fair-trade laws and help the government weed out unscrupulous traders. Since 2006 only about 2,000 establishments have so far obtained the government certification for retailers that have met the requirements, such as compliance with the Price Act and Consumer Act, customer relations, store management operations, socially committed and responsible business sector, and ISO 9001/ Quality Management System.

 “The Bagwis Program is a check and balance [system] for establishments to be guided on how they should operate while consistently conforming to the government regulations and local and international standards,” Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya pointed out. For this year, Maglaya said a total of 15 business establishments will be awarded with the DTI Gold Bagwis Seal of Excellence.

The awardees are Canon (with eight branches in National Capital Region, Regions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9), Siapno-Tada Optical Inc. (with 11 branches in Region 1), Nerumo Enterprises (Region 1), Bolong Agri-Management Corp. (Region 1), Honda Cars Ilocos Inc. (Region 1), Northeast Car Care Center (Region 1), EZ Supermarket San Sebastian, Tarlac City (Region 3), EZ Supermarket Ligtasan, Tarlac City (Region 3), Mart One Department Store (Region 3), Big A Department Store, Tarlac City (Region 3), Emilio S. Lim Appliances (Region 3), K-Servico Trade Inc. (Region 3), DBL Aircon Refrigeration Center (Region 3), Honda Cars Bulacan (Region 3) and Honda Cars Nueva Ecija (Region 3).

In screening nominees for the program, the DTI partners with the private sector, specifically with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Philippine Association of Supermarkets (Pasi), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Philippine Amalgamated Supermarket Association.

The DTI Bagwis National Certification Committee members who reviewed the documentary requirements of the awardees this year are DTI Directors Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba, Vince Justo and Mario Gaudiano, Velma Lim, Victoria Padilla of the Philippine Product Safety and Quality Foundation, Evelyn Salire of PRA, Federico Ples of Pasi, and Veegee Sison of PCCI.

The Bagwis award seals are posted in front of stores to properly guide the consumers. “In its entirety, the DTI Bagwis program will foster balance between engaging in business and safeguarding the welfare of consumers. The program promotes a healthy competition among establishments to ensure that the welfare of consumers is constantly safeguarded,” Maglaya said.