Phl among Asean leaders on consumer empowerment

The Philippines is among the countries with the highest score in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Consumer Empowerment Index (ACEI).

A key initiative of the ASEAN Strategic Plan on Consumer Protection 2016 to 2015, the ACEI 2020 report aims to gauge the level of awareness and knowledge of consumers in terms of their rights, laws and ability to make informed decisions.

It showed Philippine consumers are moderately empowered with a score of 93 out of 130, the third highest score in the region.

The ACEI 2020 report showed Thailand’s consumers are empowered as the country got the highest score of 107, followed by Malaysian consumers who are considered moderately empowered with a score of 94.48.

Other countries with moderately empowered consumers are Brunei Darussalam (83), Vietnam (82.96), and Myanmar (80.95), while those with least empowered consumers are Lao People’s Democratic Republic (77.97), Indonesia (72.70), Singapore (70.79) and Cambodia (68.85).

ASEAN consumers, on average, are moderately empowered with a score of 82.9.

Results of the ACEI are based on a survey of 7,185 respondents in ASEAN.

In the Philippines, the survey facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), covered a total of 1,010 respondents.

Scores are based on indicators categorized according to three main components: consumer awareness or knowledge, consumer skills or competencies, and consumer behaviors or assertiveness.

The ACEI showed Philippine respondents are highly aware of their basic consumer rights and business obligations, but have low awareness level when it comes to consumer advocacy and education programs or tools.

Philippine consumers also scored highly regarding skills and competencies in detecting deceptive business practices and unfair contracts, but scored lowest in comparing products.

In addition, Philippine respondents were found to be assertive in seeking redress regarding their complaints.

“The DTI is pleased about the ACEI 2020 results yet we do take note of the areas where the DTI needs to improve on. The department shall maximize the available platforms to reach out to more consumers and deepen their awareness on programs created and operated for them for their protection,” Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said.