DTI-2 Assistant Regional Director Ruben Diciano and Team Leader Serafin Umoquit check the logo and markings on a 10mm steel bar in Tuguegarao City during the region-wide monitoring and enforcement activity last 5 July

Steel bars randomly inspected by DTI-2 Regional Office Monitoring and Enforcement Teams in hardware stores in the Provinces of Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Quirino and Batanes were found compliant to Philippine National Standards 211:2002 and PNS 49:2002.  This was the result of a region-wide monitoring conducted on Friday, July 5 to ensure that consumers get safe and quality products.

Six teams – one from each province and one from the Regional Office – were fielded out to eleven growth areas of the region during a simultaneous monitoring and enforcement activity conducted by DTI across the country.  A total of forty-six (46) firms were monitored throughout the region – 7 in Tuguegarao City, 6 in Aparri, 4 in Ilagan City, 3 in Cauayan City, 4 in Bayomobng, 1 each in Solano and Bambang, 4 in Bagabag, 7 in Diffun and 9 in Batanes.  The teams focused on rerolled and deformed steel bars.  Other products covered include PVC electrical conduits pipes as well as PVC for potable water, electric plugs, outlets, LED bulbs, electric fans and other electric appliances classified as products under mandatory certification by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS). Of the 46 firms monitored, 41 were hardware and lumber firms, 2 Department Stores and 3 Appliance Stores.

One store in Ilagan City, Isabela was issued a notice of violation (NOV) for displaying for sale non-certified electric fans and lighters.  The Isabela team confiscated 15 pieces of uncertified gas lighters and 52 pieces of electric fans.

Linda Tan, Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI-2’s Consumer Protection Division said that “the fact that all the hardware stores we visited at random had compliant steel bars show that the owners and managers themselves are exerting efforts to comply with product standards law.  For its part, DTI has regularly conducted monitoring and enforcement activities as well as advocacy to both the business sector and the consumers so that both sectors are fully aware of their responsibilities and rights under the law.”♦

Date of release: 15 July 2019