GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Some 119 business establishments in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) have received the Bagwis Seal of Excellence for upholding the rights of consumers and practicing responsible business.
Jude Constantine Jaugan, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Region 12 director, said Tuesday the recipients have complied with the parameters of the Bagwis program, which recognizes the efforts of businesses to improve their operations and provide quality services.
He specifically cited the promotion of consumer rights and fostering the highest level of business ethics.
The establishments were awarded the Bagwis bronze, silver, and bronze seals through the DTI’s provincial offices in the region.
The bronze seal is given to businesses that complied with fair trade laws and have put up consumer welfare desks or equivalent consumer relations offices inside their establishments, while the silver seal is for those that achieved the requirements of the bronze level and exhibited outstanding qualities in social responsibility.
Establishments receive the gold seal if they passed the bronze and silver levels and adhered to some elements aligned with the International Organisation for Standardisation or ISO 9001, the international standard for a quality management system.
“The award is valid for three years but DTI (will) continue to revalidate if these establishments (are continually) upholding consumer rights, and practicing ethical business standards,” Jaugan said in a statement.
The official said they awarded a total of 58 business establishments with the bronze seal, 21 with the silver seal, and 40 with the gold seal.
This city posted the highest number of gold seal recipients with 18 while Sultan Kudarat has the most number of silver seal awardees with six. North Cotabato got the highest number of bronze seal awardees with 21.
He said the recipient-establishments were selected based on the series of evaluations conducted by the regional Bagwis committee.
The committee is composed of representatives from consumer organizations, local government units, and the private sector, he said.
Jaugan said they are hoping that more establishments in the region’s four provinces and five cities will join the Bagwis program and pursue good business ethics, and promote consumers' rights and employees’ welfare. (PNA)
