HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15
Constitution Hills, Quezon City DATE: i
Tinie:_W%
BY: a
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND iNDEX S° <VICI?

First Regular Session

House BILL No, 1487

Introduced by: Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon II}

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Rich or poor, shoppers need consumer protection. Shoppers themselves must realize
that they face a challenge. Dishonest promotions, substandard products and overpriced
merchandise are just some of the nightmarish occurrences that could ruin one’s shopping _
spree. Clearly, a reason for the need to enact this law is extant. Consumer protection,
however, can only be made through the government exercising its regulatory powers. This

legislation that will better protect the consumers

This measure was previously filed by Senator Manny Villar in the 15" Congress.

Passage of this bill is earnestly sought now in the 17" Congress.

EIL J. ABAYON III
Representative
Party-List AANGAT TAYO.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

87

14
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

AN ACT
ORDAINING A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE FILIPINO CONSUMERS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of the Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the “The Consumer’s Bill of Rights.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State “To
promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of
the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social
services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of
life for all. For the Congress to give the highest priority to the enactment of measures that
protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic and
political inequalities, and remove cultural inequalities by equitably diffusing wealth and
political power for the common good to better protect and enhance the rights of consumers.

SECTION 3. Consumer’s Basic Rights. — The following are the basic rights of the consumers
in the Philippines:

The right to basic needs;

The right to safety;

The right to information;

The right to choose,

‘The right to representation;

The right to redress,

The right to consumer education;
The right to a healthy environment

eI AUAwWH=

SECTION 4, The Right to Basic Needs. — The right to basic needs shall mean the basic
consumer right which prompts the government to ensure the availability to consumers of
basic and prime commodities at affordable prices and of good quality.

SECTION 5. The Right to Safety. — The right to safety shall mean the right of consumers to
be protected from the marketing of goods or services that are hazardous to health and life.


en

The undertaking of extensive safety and performance testing of products before being sold,
and the placing of labels and proper product information about the product's use and
operation, and warning about precautions to be taken, if any, are enjoined on manufacturers
and sellers.

SECTION 6. The Right to Information. — The right to information requires manufacturers
and sellers to provide complete information about a product being sold including, but not
limited to, its use, ingredients or chemical contents, precautions, limitations, and
manufacturing and expiry dates

SECTION 7. The Right to Choose. ~ The right to choose shall mean the right to choose
products with competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.

SECTION 8. The Right to Representation. ~ The right to representation shall mean the right
of consumers to express their interests in the making and execution of government policies

SECTION 9. The Right to Redress. — The right to redress shall mean the right of consumers
to be compensated for misrepresentation, substandard goods, or unsatisfactory services

SECTION 10. The Right to Consumer Education. — The right to consumer education shall
mean the right of the consumer to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become an
informed customer.

SECTION 11. The Right to a Healthy Environment. ~ The right to a healthy environment
shall mean the right to live and work in an environment that is neither threatening nor
dangerous and permits a life of dignified well-being.

SECTION 12. Duties of the Department of Trade and Industry. ~ The Departmentt of Trade
and Industry shall be tasked with the implementation, enforcement and dissemination of ~
information as to this Act accordingly; Provided, that criminal, civil arid administrative
liabilities shall be imposed upon failure to abide by the provisions of this Act; Provided, that
the Department of Trade and Industry and its branch offices I the provinces, cities and
‘municipalities shall have jurisdiction over grievances of consumers over the provisions of
this Act; Provided, ‘further, that in the absence of branch offices in the provinces, cities,
municipalities, the local government units shall establish such centers whereby grievances of
consumers may be brought forth, and which grievances shall be made known to the
Department of Trade and Industry for proper action.

SECTION 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within thirty (30) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the following shall convene for the purpose of formulating,
implementing and regulations for this Act, to convene every day for the purpose of
formulating the said rules until such time that the implementing rules and regulations have
been formulated; Provided, that the failure to produce implementing rules and regulations
within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, shall not hinder the implementation of
this Act

A representative from the Executive Department;
A representative from the Legislative Department;
The Secretary of Trade and Industry;

A representative from the consumers sector;

A representative from the manufacturer sector;

A representative from the sellers sector.

Auswne


The implementing rules and regulations shall focus on the better implementation of the bill of
the right for the consumers, and shall create a grievance by which establishments offering
products or services or both to consumers, whether in a manufacturing, production, or service
concern, shall make available to consumers grievance machineries at the soonest possible
time wherein violations of the bill of rights of consumers may be made known.

SECTION 14. Penalties for the violation of the bill of rights. — Any person who is found to
have violated the Consumer's bill of rights shall be punish with imprisonment of not less
than six (6) months nor more than two (2) years, or a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos
(Php 10,000.00) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) or both such .
imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, and other
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 16. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,