DESTROYED INFERIOR ITEMS. Rectoniel Reginio (in white polo shirt), the DTI South Cotabato provincial director, leads Monday (Oct. 17, 2022) the disposal of at least PHP100,000 worth of substandard products seized during law enforcement operations last year. The activity was witnessed by the representatives from the Commission on Audit, consumer groups, and the media. (Photo courtesy of PIA South Cotabato)
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in this province destroyed Monday some PHP100,000 worth of uncertified products that it has seized last year.
Elbert Capecio, DTI-South Cotabato senior trade and industry development specialist, said among the destroyed products are monobloc chairs, home appliances such as television sets, electric stoves, electric fans, steel bars, kitchen utensils and Christmas lights with no International Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers.
“These are only small items, but this will serve as a warning to the violators,” Capecio said in an interview.
He said the substandard products were confiscated during the series of product surveillance and enforcement operations of DTI in 10 commercial establishments in 2021.
“Eight of the violators were fined while penalties of the other two are still being processed by DTI central office,” he said.
He reminded local traders that selling products without the required safety marks is a violation of the Consumer Act of the Philippines and the Standard Law.
Capecio appealed to the consumers to refrain from patronizing substandard products, even if sold at lower prices, because they are unsafe.
“If the selling of substandard products will continue, we will ask for the assistance of the local government units who have the power to shut down the establishments,” he said. (PNA)
