Santo Domingo.– The National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor) reached its 18th anniversary this Wednesday, highlighting among the main achievements of the last five years the return of more than RD$3.5 billion to consumers affected by various commercial practices.
While leading the commemorative events, the institution’s executive director, Eddy Alcántara, stated that the resources recovered during his administration represent seven times the amount returned to citizens from the creation of Pro Consumidor until his arrival at the entity in early 2021.
“We have returned more than 3.5 billion pesos to consumers in the last five years, which is equivalent to seven times what was returned to the consumer from its creation until our arrival,” stated Alcántara.
According to the statistics provided by the institution, during that period more than 62 thousand complaints and reports were handled, while the conciliation processes allowed for the recovery of around RD$3.551 billion in favor of citizens.
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Alcántara attributed the increase in complaints to greater public confidence in Pro Consumidor. He explained that previously, between three and five hearings were held weekly, while currently the institution conducts more than 100 daily.
“We are overwhelmed with complaints and claims because they trust the institution,” the official maintained while taking stock of his administration.
Highlights fight against adulterated alcohol
Among the results of his administration, Alcántara also highlighted the actions against the manufacturing and commercialization of adulterated alcoholic beverages, ensuring that in the last five years there have been no recorded deaths linked to this practice.
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He recalled that, before taking over the management of the entity, there were around 68 deaths per year associated with the consumption of adulterated alcohol.
In that sense, he highlighted the recent dismantling of a clandestine factory dedicated to the production of this type of beverage, an operation carried out jointly with security agencies and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“We can say that during our administration we eradicated the issue of lethality from adulterated alcohol. There has been no lethality in the last five years,” he stated.
Likewise, he pointed out as other advances the reduction of misleading advertising and the simulation of offers, through stricter surveillance of commercial establishments and promotions aimed at consumers.
During the current administration, Pro Consumidor reports more than 72,000 inspections of commercial establishments in the country’s 32 provinces and the verification of more than 14,000 advertisements, especially during high-consumption seasons such as Christmas, Three Kings Day, Mother’s Day, and Black Friday.
The official also highlighted the international positioning achieved by Pro Consumidor and assured that the entity has led international organizations linked to consumer protection.
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Among those advances, he cited the United Nations’ recognition of initiatives promoted from the Dominican Republic related to conflict resolution in cross-border trade and the protection of users in e-commerce operations.
Alcántara offered his statements within the framework of a thanksgiving mass held at the Primatial Cathedral of America on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Pro Consumidor, an activity that brought together collaborators of the institution and special guests.
Pro Consumidor formally began its operations on September 9, 2008, after being created under the General Law for the Protection of Consumer or User Rights 358-05.
