MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bukidnon is calling on creative netizens to join the BukSmart Consumer Challenge, a TikTok and Facebook Reels contest promoting smart consumer spending under the theme “Bida ang Konsyumer sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

Junar B. Merla, chief of DTI-Bukidnon’s Consumer Protection Division, said on Oct. 1 that contestants must produce a 60-second video promoting consumer rights, post it publicly with the hashtag #2025BukSmartConsumerChallenge, and complete an online entry form to qualify.

He said REELS (Responsible, Engaged, Empowered Learners as Smart Consumers) invites students to create short videos highlighting consumer rights and encouraging wise purchasing habits.

“We want to reach young consumers, especially in schools, because students are future decision-makers. This contest makes the message engaging on platforms young people love,” Merla said.

The judging committee will score entries based on 30% content, 25% creativity, 25% clarity, and 20% audience engagement, measured by social media likes, shares, and comments.

“Deadline for entries is October 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Winners will receive cash prizes worth P5,000, P3,000, and P2,000, along with plaques. Full contest mechanics and guidelines are available at https://tinyurl.com/rzb3rjbj,”

 Merla said.

He emphasized that the campaign is part of DTI’s Consumer Welfare Month celebration this October, using popular digital platforms to boost consumer rights advocacy and promote responsible buying and selling.

“It also challenges them to creatively show how wise and vigilant consumers make better choices every day,” Merla said. (JMC/RLRB/PIA-10/Bukidnon)