The National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor) reported this Tuesday that this institution has managed to recover more than RD$2 billion in conciliation matters in favor of consumers who formalized claims in the last three years and seven months of the current management, for seeing their rights violated against companies and suppliers that offer goods and services.
The executive director of Pro Consumidor, Eddy Alcántara, explained that the largest amount of money recovered by the institution had to do with cases of claims in the real estate sector, mainly in the purchase of homes on plans, as well as in sales of appliances and offers. of tourist trips to different countries and local hotels.
Alcántara spoke on the subject during an event on the occasion of the institution’s 16th anniversary held in a hotel in the capital, where he took the opportunity to report on his management at the head of the consumer protection entity, and which was attended by the Minister of Industry and Commerce and MSMEs (MICM), Víctor -Ito- Bisonó.
Alcántara explained that in that period 22,685 complaints and 3,815 complaints have been received for a total of 26,500 cases received, pointing out that so far this year alone Pro Consumidor has received 11 thousand complaints, which demonstrates the trust of citizens in the institution. .
He said that of the complaints received, 19 thousand cases were reconciled, which shows the figure of the indicated amount returned to consumers only in this matter (conciliation).
“That large amount of money was recovered thanks to the innovative conciliation procedures implemented in this administration,” he added.
In another order, Alcántara indicated that, in terms of inspection and surveillance, to date a total of 39,999 establishments have been inspected in special operations and regular inspections.
He noted that, through these operations carried out in businesses throughout a large part of the national territory, a total of 35,622,944 products unfit for human consumption have been seized, incinerated, crushed and destroyed.
In that order, he maintained that Pro Consumidor has suspended more than 4 thousand commercial establishments, many due to temporary closures and others permanently.
The head of the consumer protection entity also said that another achievement worth highlighting has been the significant reduction in misleading advertising to the detriment of consumers, “which was recurring during high consumption seasons, such as Mother’s Day. “, Father’s Day, Christmas, Black Friday, Three Kings’ Day and others.”
Likewise, the carrying out of prior inspection and surveillance operations against the inappropriate marketing of inputs used for the manufacture of devil’s acid, highlighting that it was possible to reduce attacks or assaults on people, mainly women, to practically zero.
He also stressed that one of the key issues addressed by this administration has been to quickly and forcefully carry out operations to combat the marketing of adulterated alcoholic beverages, seizing thousands of bottles and closing hundreds of businesses and factories that sold illegally. clandestine this product, “and this together with other government agencies that work permanently to eradicate this scourge.”
He said that, in terms of transparency, the General Directorate of Ethics and Government Integrity (DIGEIG) has recognized Pro Consumidor for compliance with the standards in the transparency ranking and guaranteeing the right of free access to public information, obtaining a rating of 99.32%.
Finally, the owner of the entity consumer rights defender stated that “it must be said that there are many challenges ahead of us, but we are convinced that with tenacious work and constant efforts coordinated with public-private alliances, both national and international, we will continue to achieve progress, to firm steps, guaranteeing the safety and protection of consumers, especially those considered vulnerable.”
Minister Ito Bisonó speaks
The Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, Víctor -Ito- Bisonó, speaking at the event said that Pro Consumidor has promoted equity and transparency in the market, it has also strengthened citizens’ confidence in access to products and services quality.
He maintained that the anniversary of this institution is testimony to a manifest commitment “to justice, transparency and the promotion of an economy where we all win.”
“Today, the collaboration between the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs and Pro Consumidor has resulted in a consumer protection system that responds to current demands and promotes a healthy, stable and reliable market,” he added.
This synergy, he continued, has been essential to achieve an adequate balance between consumer rights and the growth of our country.
Finally, he urged Pro Consumidor to continue being a pillar of justice and well-being for each Dominican home and an essential ally for the growth of our MSMEs.
Also the vice minister of Internal Trade of the MICM and president of the Board of Directors of Pro Consumidor, Ramón Pérez Fermín; the vice president of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), Eddy Olivares; the general head of the General Directorate of Community Development (DGDC), Modesto Guzmán; the general director of the National Council for the Promotion and Support of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Promipyme), Fabricio Gómez Mazara; the head of the General Directorate of Passport, Lorenzo Ramírez; the vice minister of Industrial Development of the MICM, Fantino Polanco; among other personalities.
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