The Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG), in cooperation with DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG), extended its monitoring and enforcement operations in Regions 5, 11, and 12 in the last quarter of this year.
The surveillance and inspection activities were set to enable a better marketplace for the consumers and to protect them from unfair, unsafe, and fraudulent trade practices in the regions.
On 8 – 12 November 2021, DTI-CPG Assistant Secretary Ronnel O. Abrenica led the inspection of various construction and hardware establishments in several provinces in Regions 11 and 12. This is in cooperation with DTI-ROG and through the monitoring and enforcement team of DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) with the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS).
On 6 – 10 December 2021, another set of joint monitoring, enforcement, and media campaign activities were conducted in Bicol Region as part of DTI-CPG’s continued collaboration with its regional counterparts.
A total of 189 firms were monitored in the three Regions and out of which, 77 were issued Notice of Violations. They are directed to submit their written explanation within 48 hours as part of administrative due process before the filing of formal charges. Non-compliance with technical regulations and statutory requirements were predominantly violations on markings requirements and uncertified products.
Observed compliance rate in Region 11 stands at 57%, 30% in Region 12and 72% in Region 5. The estimate retail value of confiscated products in Region XII stands at P876,150.00 and P652,996.25 in Region 12. While in Region V stands the highest retail value of confiscated products at P1,195,233.25 which consisted of electrical fans, light emitting diode (LED) bulbs and lamps, low carbon steel wires, sanitary wares with water closet and lavatory, uPVC pipes for portable water supply, uPVC pipes rigid electrical conduit, monobloc chairs, lighters, and other consumer products.
“More test buys of unmarked steels bars and those with unverified logos were conducted in Region XI. The samples were brought to Manila and submitted to BPS – Product Testing Division for confirmatory test. This will be closely pursued by DTI,” Assistant Secretary Abrenica underscored.
“DTI-CPG will always be on the ground anywhere in the country not just to ensure consumer protection, but also to increase awareness on the rights, responsibilities and remedies of our consumers,” said CPG Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo.
For more information on the list of products under mandatory certification or products with PS or ICC markings, consumers may visit BPS website at www.bps.dti.gov.ph. For complaints or inquiries, consumers may call the Consumer Care Hotline at 1-DTI (1-384) or email consumercare@dti.gov.ph ♦
Date of Release: 17 December 2021