FOLLOWING the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Luzon on April 22, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday vowed to heighten consumer safety efforts, particularly its campaign against substandard construction materials.
The DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) reported it confiscated and sealed over the first four months of the year a total of 35,112 pieces of steel bars, equal leg angle bars, PVC pipes, GI wires and electrical cords. It claimed the haul amounted to more than P7 million.
The DTI-FTEB monitored 1,173 firms in the four-month period, and served 138 notices of violation, of which 118 were filed with administrative cases.
In the event an establishment receives a notice of violation twice, it will face criminal charges. Their permits and licenses to operate will be revoked.
Further, the DTI-FTEB claimed it found all cement products sold in monitored stores to be compliant with safety and quality checks set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said his men’s increased monitoring activities are but an assurance the DTI is committed in its fight against shabby products. He added the agency will implement more consumer protection measures over the next months.
“[The] DTI’s heightened presence in the market sends a strong message to both consumers and business that we are serious in our campaign against uncertified and substandard materials,” Lopez said.
“Finding no nonconforming products, such as cement and steel, in the establishments that we monitor means that quality goods are being sold to the public. The protection of consumers is our utmost priority, and we remain steadfast in our commitment,” he added.
The DTI is shifting its sticker verification of import commodity clearance (ICC) to a mobile software to assist enforcement officers during market monitoring. It can also help consumers verify a certified product, as well as detect fake from real ICC and Philippine Standard stickers.
The agency will also accredit hardware stores that sell certified and quality products, and will make available to the public the list of compliant and noncompliant retailers.
Moreover, enforcement officials are negotiating with Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año an agreement that will allow local government units (LGUs) to participate in the apprehension of manufacturers and sellers of substandard products. The arrangement will grant LGUs the capacity to impose penalties against establishments proven to be retailing uncertified goods.
The DTI increased this year the frequency and scope of its monitoring and enforcement activities, particularly in the regions, where substandards are reportedly more prevalent.
The enforcement operations from January to April covered mostly Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Central Visayas and the Cordilleras, according to the DTI. The rest of the provinces are plotted within the remaining months of the year.