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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

1428

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast, Abayon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Rich or poor, shoppers need consumer protection, Shoppers themselves must realize that
they face a challenge. Dishonest promotions, substandard products and overpriced merchandises
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 16" Congress,

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HARLIN CAST. ABAYON
Representative
First District of Northern Samar


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._ 1428

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

ANACT
ORDAINING A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE FILIPINO CONSUMERS

BBe it enacted by the Senate and the House of 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 &
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 inequities, 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:

1. 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

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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. 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
warnings 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 (o 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
allife of dignified well-being,

Section 12. Di of the Department of Trade and Industry. - The Department of Trade and
Industry shall be tasked with the implementation, enforcement and dissemination of information:
as to this Act accordingly; Provided, that criminal, civil and :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 in 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 and 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 rules and
regulations for this Act, to convene everyday 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 regulation within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act, shall not hinder the implementation of this Act,


1. A representative from the Executive Department;
2. A representative from the Legislative Department,
3. The Secretary of Trade and Industry;

4, A representative from the consumers sector;

5, A representative from the manufacturers sector;

6, A representative from the sellers sector.

‘The implementing rules and regulations shall focus on the better implementation of the bill of
rights 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’ bill of rights shall be punished 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 fifly thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) or both such imprisonment
and fine, at the diseretion 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 fifleen days after its complete publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,