The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had a series of meetings with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), the Senior Police Assistant to the Secretary of Interior and Local Government (SPA to SILG), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to discuss approaches to strengthen enforcement activities on critical consumer products and sale of illegal products. The Meetings were held at the PNP National Headquarters, Camp Crame, Quezon City on January 31, 2024, and February 21, 2024.

The DTI remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandate to protect the interests of consumers. Hence, it explores initiatives with the PNP, through CIDG and SILG, for stricter enforcement of laws and regulations covering critical consumer products such as steel bars, plywood, cement, vape, tires for automotive vehicles, and household appliances that are uncertified, substandard, or unregulated.

The DTI is also exploring joint operations with the PNP-ACG to intensify enforcement activities against sellers of uncertified and illegal products in e-marketplaces.

With intensified enforcement plans covering the different Trade and Industry Laws, more particularly the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA No. 7394), the Price Act (RA No. 7581 as amended by RA No. 10623), the Law on Products Standards (RA No 4109), and the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act (RA No. 11900), collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well as with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), was sought.

The DTI Secretary highlighted the significance of working with law enforcement agencies in gearing towards new strategies and approaches in aiming for stronger consumer protection.

 “With significant backing of our law enforcement agencies, we ensure a more concerted and strategic consumer protection approach,” underscored DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual. The DTI urges consumers to report violators particularly retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell uncertified and illegal items through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or consumercare@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of release: 21 February 2024

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