Baguio City crafts ordinance allowing online buyers to check orders before accepting them

Baguio City, Philippines – Online consumers in Baguio City will get better protection from being scammed, once the ordinance mandating couriers and delivery riders to open and examine bought items before release will be enacted.

Said ordinance filed by Councilor Fred Bagbagen was recently approved on its first reading and has been forwarded to the City Council’s Committee on Market, Trade and Commerce, and Agriculture for review and recommendation during the regular session conducted Monday, July 19, 2021.

In a press release, the City Council reports that said ordinance is in consonance with Republic Act. No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines that aims to protect the interests of the consumer, promote general welfare, and establish standards of conduct for business and industry.

Councilor Bagbagen reasoned that aside from the product’s economical price, “convenience is the biggest perk of online shopping since individuals can shop from the comfort of their homes sans the traffic, pollution, or pressure from salespersons”.

However, even with the convenience the shopping scheme offers, it has some downsides such as defects in the purchased goods, among others.

When approved, couriers in Baguio City, once proven guilty of not allowing customers to open and examine their purchased items ordered through online shops, shall be penalized with an amount of P5,000.

There is also a chance for their business permits to be revoked, at the discretion of the court.

As recalled, online transaction complaints have surged not only in Baguio but in the whole country when the pandemic arose, given that most consumers have shifted to online shopping scheme due to lockdown protocols.

Complaints regarding online shopping include overpricing, defective products, poor customer service, false advertising or sales promotion, and deceptive practices.

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