By Teddy Brul

The first nominee for the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Partylist, Brian Poe Llamanzares, has asked fellow Filipinos to buy more locally made goods this Christmas season. He also cautioned customers about the quality of imported goods and the rising risk of online fraud. 

In a statement, Poe said:  “Let’s make a conscious effort to shop locally this Christmas.”

Poe emphasized the difficulties encountered by Filipino SMEs, who frequently find it difficult to compete with the flood of imported items made at lower costs. “While imported goods may seem cheaper and offer more choices, we must be skeptical on their quality and consider the impact on our local economy.”

He said that “supporting local businesses means investing in our own communities.” It entails boosting the economy, helping families, and generating jobs for all.

He also voiced alarm about Filipinos’ increasing susceptibility to internet fraud, pointing out that many are influenced by ads and frequently become victims of phony calls and SMS.

Poe stated, “We can’t really blame Nikkei Asia for claiming that online shopping scams are increasingly prevalent in the Philippines.” 

“It’s a serious problem that requires our attention,”Poe continued.

Poe urged Filipinos to become more discerning shoppers by extensively investigating products while also taking into account their quality and place of origin before making a purchase. He said, “Let’s pay closer attention to where our money is going.”