In celebration of World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Albay launched “GAB,” or Gabay sa Tamang Reklamo, which will help consumers send complaints and questions about substandard products.
With the theme “Fair and Responsible AI,” the event was held at Pacific Mall, Legazpi City, and was attended by over 90 participants from multi-sectoral consumer representatives.
The website was developed by PIXIES by WhiteCloak Technologies, which utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to handle consumer complaints, guaranteeing prompt and efficient service.
Dindo Nabol, regional director of DTI Bicol, encouraged consumers to use the user-friendly website, as it will help them answer questions and address complaints related to products.
Meanwhile, Ma. Lourdes Pasobilio, division chief of DTI Albay, shared that GAB is for consumers to be a go-to website that will answer questions not just from DTI and other agencies.
“Ni-launch natin si GAB para bigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na mga consumers na makapag-paabot ng ating reklamo sa ibang agencies sa tulong ni GAB. So, sana po maging wais po tayong mamimili at subukan ang GAB tuwing may mga problema,” Pasobilio said in an interview with BicoldotPH.
Furthermore, Pasobilio also encouraged the public to share the website with others, such as their family, friends, and other consumers, to further boost the benefits of GAB for public awareness.
“I-share po natin ang GAB sa ating mga kakilala, kapamilya para ma-strengthen din po natin ‘yong ating rights to redress. Ito po kasing Gabay sa Tamang Reklamo, this is for the public right for redress. Meron tayong option na 3Rs: repair, repair, and refund. Pero bago natin makuha, may mga steps po tayong sinusundan,” she added.
Gloria Aramo, president of Senior Citizen Barangay 23 Legazpi City, commended the event as it enlightened her knowledge on different topics from speakers related to technology, consumer rights, and safety in online transactions.
“Magayunon su mga speakers ngonian, talagang prepared sila sa kanilang mga talk. May kasabay pang mga slides kasi ako man na-encounter man ako ng problem using a (digital platform)…at sa pakikinig ko sa mga nagsalita ngayon very useful, dapat mas i-orient ang mga consumers, especially kaming may mga edad na kasi very helpful ito lalo na kapag nakakaroon kami ng problema,” Aramo shared.
Along with DTI, the website receives support from various governmental bodies, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the and the Department of Health (DOH), along with other participating agencies and a private sector ally, Goddfound Cement Corporation, that leads in safeguarding consumer welfare.
GAB can be accessed through a QR (quick response) code and on the Albay consumer website (https://www.consumernetalbay.ph). | Alliah Jane Babila