To protect consumers from unconscionable practices, Parañaque City Mayor Florencio M. Bernabe, Jr. ordered the city’s Consumer Welfare Office (CWO) to renew its campaign against fly-by-night and dubious door-to-door delivery service outfits (D2D) in the city.

Although the CWO drive in this area of concern is a continuing process on a year-round basis, activities including inspections usually intensify during the Christmas season when cargo volume increases  a great deal  as Filipinos abroad, including OFWs  send boxes full of gifts to their families , other relatives and friends in the Philippines.

It is also at this time of the year when D2Ds mushroom and those with deceitful dispositions set out to defraud customers. Apart from violating the consumer rights of citizens, these firms of questionable character pose unfair business competition to legitimate establishments.

Parañaque began with this drive in 2004 following receipt of reports on consumer right violations made by some parcel and money delivery service companies. These violations include:  Pilferage;  damaged cargoes; non-dollar payout; and fraud in terms of disappearing freight forwarders as well as vanishing shipments entrusted to them.

“Consumer protection is a priority agenda in my administration. We will continue to adopt new measures and programs to promote consumer welfare and provide more safeguards to shield citizens against  unconscientious  acts by service providers   ”, Bernabe said.

Consumer Welfare Officer Michelle Licudine explained that to avoid getting victimized, citizens should advise their relatives abroad to take up the following precautionary measures: 1) Do not get swayed by glib-talking solicitors; 2) Ask friends; 3) Opt for reputable companies listed in the directories; 4) Visit the service provider of choice and check legitimacy of business; 5) Promptly send the recipient an e-mail containing a list of the balikbayan box  contents as well as the name, address and contact numbers of the D2D.

The intended recipient should, for his part, visit the Philippine branch office and check if it has the required papers issued by regulatory government agencies. It should have the BIR registration, Barangay business clearance, city business permit, business license plate, sanitation permit to operate and related official receipts publicly displayed at all times. Moreover, it should exhibit the certificate of registration and accreditation issued by the Phil. Shipper’s Bureau (PSB)-Dept. of Trade and Industry and a registration certificate from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas if it is engaged in money delivery.

Bernabe added that as in the past years, the Parañaque City Government is strictly implementing DILG Circular No. 95-94, requiring the registration and accreditation of all freight forwarders, non-vessel operating common carriers, cargo consolidators and breakbulk agents with the PSB-DTI prior to the issuance of a mayor’s permit to operate. (Lito Mendoza)