By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

President Benigno S. Aquino III hailed the speed and effectiveness of the Consumer Welfare Desks (CWD) in addressing complaints, saying that this showed the high priority the CWDs give in upholding consumers’ rights.

In his speech keynoting the opening ceremonies of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Thursday, the President said 70,941 out of 81,962 or 95 percent of complaints cases were handled and given immediate solutions within a week by CWDs.

More than 3,000 CWDs have already been posted in markets, malls and supermarkets nationwide in order to assist consumers in any concern they have, the President said.

“Ngayon, kung sakaling may negosyanteng umabuso’t talaga namang mababang uri ng produkto o serbisyo ang natanggap ni Pedro, maaari na itong i-report sa pinakamalapit na Consumer Welfare Desk sa inyong lugar para agad na maaksyonan. May mahigit tatlong libong Consumer Welfare Desks na po ngayon ang nakaposte sa mga palengke, mall, grocery, at supermarket,” the President said.

“Ang talaga naman pong nakakabilib: Sa kabuuang 81,962 na reklamong natanggap nila mula Enero 2011 hanggang Hunyo ng taong kasalukuyan, 70,941 o mahigit siyamnapu’t limang porsyento ay naresolba sa loob lamang ng pitong araw,” he added.

“Iyan po ang tinatawag nating mabilis at epektibong pangangalaga sa kapakanan at interes ng mga konsyumer sa tuwid na daan,” the President said.

This year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) leads the annual celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) with the theme: “Get Organized. Be Heard. Be Empowered” that is aligned with the objective of the DTI to revitalize, strengthen and empower the regional and national consumer organizations in the country.