Baguio city: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Cordillera is urging consumers to report questionable construction materials to help ensure product safety and compliance with standards. 'When in doubt, we encourage consumers and retailers to bring the issue to DTI so we can check,' said Ralph Altiyen, chief of the DTI-CAR Consumer Protection Division, in a media interview. "We also appreciate that if there are new products being offered by suppliers, they can bring them to us so that we can check the standard."

According to Philippines News Agency, Altiyen said the agency regularly monitors not only basic commodities but also construction materials, particularly steel bars, which directly affect public safety. 'Aside from monitoring the price of construction supplies, we also monitor product standards, especially steel bars,' he said.

He mentioned that some checks can be done in the field, but laboratory testing is required for more detailed analysis. 'Those tests have to be done in a laboratory, which is unfortunately not possible when doing monitoring,' Altiyen said.

He further added that product standard violations carry a minimum penalty of PHP17,500, while violations of the Price Act may reach up to PHP1 million. Altiyen noted price movements in construction materials, which rose during the fuel price increases in March but eased in June. He said the trend is consistent nationwide.

Altiyen explained that prices are influenced by supply and demand, particularly during the summer months, which is considered peak construction season in the Cordillera. 'This season is construction season. Summer is the boom period for construction activities, and the law of supply and demand affects construction supplies,' he said in Ilocano.

The DTI does not issue suggested retail prices for construction materials, he said, and encouraged consumers to compare prices among different stores. Altiyen urged consumers to be discerning buyers to maximize savings amid rising construction costs.