Marikina city: A Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) official on Wednesday expressed optimism that the agency will exceed its 2024 total of approximately PHP300 million worth of confiscated unregistered products, as enforcement operations continue this year.
According to Philippines News Agency, DTI Assistant Secretary lawyer Regino Mallari Jr. declined to provide the amount of substandard products confiscated so far this year but stated that monitoring continues nationwide. "Mahigit isang taon na po yan kasi continuous po ang monitoring sa NCR [National Capital Region] at mga regions natin. Tapos iniipon natin, tapos kinakasuhan natin ng formal complaint. Pagkatapos ng kaso ay maari nang i-destroy ng gobyerno," he mentioned, explaining the process leading up to the destruction of the products seized over the past year.
Mallari spearheaded the destruction of approximately PHP4.6 million worth of unregistered ceramic sanitary wares and steel products at the DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau warehouse in Marikina City as part of the Consumer Welfare Month. He emphasized the risk these unregistered products pose to public safety, as they have not undergone the proper standards assessments and lack the mandatory Philippine Standards (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) markings, in violation of Republic Act (RA) 4109, known as the Products Standards Law.
Mallari also highlighted the importance of confiscating substandard steel products, especially in light of recent earthquakes affecting several parts of the country. In addition to ceramic sanitary products and steels, other products under mandatory certification from the DTI's Bureau of Philippine Standards include household appliances such as electric fans, electric irons, electric blenders, rice cookers, air pots, electric coffeemakers, televisions, lighting and wiring devices like electronic ballasts, fuses, lamp holders, plugs, socket outlets, and Christmas lights, as well as plastic pipes, cement, other construction materials, and chemical products such as motor vehicle brake fluid and fireworks.
