The Davao City Anti-Scam Unit has warned Dabawenyos against fake wedding packages offered online, urging them to always check the business permits of the organizers.
Speaking on the Davao City Disaster Radio on Wednesday, Anti-Scam Unit Head Simplicio Sagarino said, “Tan-awon gyud sa couple kung asa ang ilahang permit naa ba sila’y Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) permit, naa ba sila’y Business Bureau permit kay naa man gyud na’ay permit diha (They should always check for the permit if they have a permit from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, permit from the Business Bureau because permits are required to have permits to organize events),” Sagarino said, adding that it also helps couples to personally meet their wedding organizer and not only discuss the event online.
Sagarino issued the warning after receiving reports that 30 couples were allegedly scammed by a Davao-based wedding organizer, who offered a package worth Php 65,000 to include the venue, the food, and the gown. These couples have paid almost full and more than 50 percent but no wedding took place.
Sagarino in a separate interview with CIO Thursday afternoon revealed they received official complaints from six couples. A letter of invitation has been sent to the organizer and a dialogue between parties is set on July 6, 2022, Wednesday to discuss the issue.
He added that apart from filing complaints on scams, the public can also go to their office, call their office number: 082-225-6044, or email antiscam@davaocity.gov.ph, for queries regarding persons to whom they seek to arrange wedding packages.
“Una sila magkuha ug packages, pwede sila muadto sa amoang opisina mangutana sila para naa ta’y ma-advise sa ilaha kay mangutana man ta kung kaning tawhana naa ba ni sila’y permit para mahibal-an nato kung tinuod ba sila nagsubay sa balaod nga magkuha una ug permit para sa mga events (Before they get [wedding] packages, they can go to our office and ask for our advise since we can ask [from other offices] if these persons have permit and we also know if they have complied with the permit requirements),” he said. CIO
