The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has confiscated ₱973,000 worth of uncertified items in 2024 from monitored establishments in the MIMAROPA region.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency, Consumer Protection Division chief Versuelo Garcia III of DTI MIMAROPA said that the collections were generated from violations on product standards under mandatory certification.
According to the DTI, the uncertified items have no Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers, which are needed to ensure quality and safety assurance labels for products.
“Usually, ang involved dyan hardware products and sanitary wares. Iyan ang common na confiscated natin sa market, small appliances, electric fan,” Garcia said.
After the conduct of the hearing, the DTI destroyed the to avoid their utilization to ensure consumers’ safety.
The department encourages the public to immediately report items without ICC or PS stickers.
Meanwhile, Garcia revealed that DTI also collected fines amounting to ₱252,000 from establishments that failed to comply with the suggested retail price (SRP).
According to him, there were 76 letters of inquiry (LOI) sent to establishments in the region to ask them to explain their noncompliance with the SRP.
“Minsan justifiable kasi kung titingnan natin ang MIMAROPA, ang daming salin, gagatos sila ng hauling, transportation, kapag pinag-add ay naja-justify naman nila kung bakit mataas sila sa SRP,” he said. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
