CAGAYAN de Oro City — Eighty-six business establishments in Northern Mindanao have received the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Bagwis Award 2026 for complying with fair trade practices and consumer protection requirements.
The awards covered establishments in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental as part of Consumer Welfare Month 2026.
DTI-10 Regional Director Ruel Paclipan said the Bagwis program promotes ethical business practices and encourages establishments to provide quality products and services.
Assistant Regional Director Almer Masillones said the award recognizes businesses that uphold fair trade, protect consumer rights and promote transparent transactions.
The program also encourages establishments to maintain mechanisms for handling customer complaints and inquiries, she said.
To qualify, businesses must comply with fair trade laws and regulations, including requirements on price tags, product standards and warranties.
The award covers supermarkets, department and specialty stores, hardware stores, appliance centers, and service and repair enterprises, including automotive, gadget, computer and machine shops.
More establishments earn gold
Of the 86 awardees, 31 received bronze awards, 33 silver and 22 gold.
The bronze awardees included nine establishments in Bukidnon, three in Camiguin, five in Lanao del Norte, two in Misamis Occidental and 12 in Misamis Oriental.
Among the silver awardees, six were from Bukidnon, three from Camiguin, two from Lanao del Norte, nine from Misamis Occidental and 13 from Misamis Oriental.
All 22 gold awardees came from Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental, with 10 and 12 establishments, respectively.
The three award levels recognize varying degrees of compliance and business practices. Higher distinctions require more extensive systems for customer service, complaint handling, employee engagement and supplier relations.
Gold awardees must also demonstrate community involvement, corporate social responsibility and alignment with quality management principles.
John Joe Abing, area manager for Mindanao-2 of DIY-Bricolage Phils. Inc., said receiving the award for three consecutive years reflects the company’s commitment to affordability, product quality, customer service and regulatory compliance.
He added that the recognition carries greater responsibility to maintain these standards.
DTI urged businesses to continue observing fair trade laws and regulations, warning that violations may result in appropriate sanctions.
Consumers, meanwhile, were encouraged to check product information, prices and applicable standards before making purchases and to exercise their rights in market transactions.
The award recognizes compliance and responsible business practices, but consumers can still report suspected violations to DTI for appropriate action. (With a report from Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA-10)
