Substandard construction materials tightly monitored

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office here is strictly monitoring hardware stores for possible proliferation of uncertified products, particularly steel and cement.

Romeo Eusebio Faronilo, chief of Consumer Protection Division (CPD) of DTI-Nueva Ecija, said Monday they inspected a total of 28 hardware stores in the province last January to ensure that materials bear the approved Philippine Standard (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks under "mandatory certification" specifically on deformed and rerolled steel bars.

"Upon thorough verification and inspection, we found out that all establishments  or hardware stores monitored selling mandatory products were compliant with product standards law,” Faronilo said in an interview.

"The stores, he said, were selling only those bearing the approved logos or markings.

He said other construction materials such as cement, angle bar, PVC pipes, and electrical products were inspected to ensure compliance with PS and ICC-related laws.

PS and ICC marks, he added, prove that the products have been inspected for safety and performance prior to sale and distribution.

The CPD enforcement team engaged in a massive information and advocacy campaign to ensure that consumers are protected from the marketing of hazardous goods.

Faronilo said the team also distributed information materials such as a directory of Bureau of Product Standard (BPS) - approved logos for steel bars and angle bars as well as list of products covered by mandatory certification.

The DTI may confiscate uncertified products and impose penalties on erring establishments by virtue of the authority to enforce and implement laws on trade and industry. (PNA)