The Department of Trade and Industry, through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), sealed P108,000 worth of uncertified products; and verified suggested retail price (SRP) compliance among basic necessities and prime commodities in its simultaneous technical regulation enforcement and price and supply monitoring last July 11.
Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo and FTEB Officer-In-Charge Director Marimel D. Porciuncula led the DTI monitoring and enforcement teams in visiting two supermarkets and inspecting six firms.
The enforcement has led to the confiscation of 960 uncertified inner tubes worth P53,392 and 1,456 uncertified electrical appliances worth P55,070. Electric grills, food processors/mixers, blenders, rice cookers, electric kettles, LED lamps, electrical tapes, and batteries are among the electric equipment withdrawn for destruction.
Castelo emphasized that FTEB is consistent and steadfast in its enforcement activities. However, she acknowledged the challenge as sellers of uncertified and substandard products are persistent.
“We do not want to repress the sellers. But, we want to penalize them for still selling substandard and uncertified products while they are well aware that such is prohibited. These products should not even be in the market as they impose risks to consumers’ safety,” Castelo said.
The sellers of confiscated items have violated the following:
DTI-Department Administrative Order 2, s. 2007 which prescribes the compliance to Philippine Standard Certification Marks Schemes; and
DTI-Department Administrative Order 1, s. 2008 which mandates labels or packaging that indicate the consumer products’ nature, quality, quantity, and other relevant information, in the English or Filipino language.
From January to June 2022, FTEB has confiscated 84,119 pieces of uncertified products worth P21,139,676.89.
Meanwhile, through the team’s price monitoring, Castelo affirmed that supermarkets are compliant with the latest SRP bullletin, released last May 11.
The DTI enjoins consumers to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic necessities above their SRPs or uncertified items, through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or [email protected]. – Press release
