Koronadal City, South Cotabato (October 18, 2022) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12 destroyed around P295,370 worth of uncertified products which the agency has sized in the series of product surveillance and enforcement operations it has conducted on October 11-12, 2021 in General Santos City and Sarangani Province respectively.
Flora Politud-Gabunales, DTI 12 OIC-Regional Director, said that the destruction of uncertified mandatory products is DTI’s strong message that the agency is looking at the welfare and safety of the consumers.
“The seized products are considered hazardous and may pose risks to lives should these be allowed to be bought and used by the general public,” said Politud-Gabunales.
The confiscated products consisting of LED bulbs and lamps, electric cords, socket outlets, low carbon steel wires, PE pipes, and PVC pipes electrical conduits were found without the government’s required product standard markings under the Philippine National Standards (PNS).
The destruction operations held at the Sarangani Provincial Motor Pool in Alabel and at the General Santos City Sanitary Landfill were witnessed by the representatives of the Commission on Audit, Sarangani and Gensan Consumer Groups, Waste Management Department of LGU Gensan, and the local media.
“The seized products do not bear the Philippine Standard (PS) o Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks which means that these were not certified by the Bureau of Philippine Standards, and may cause harm to the consumers,” said Politud-Gabunales.
The disposal of the uncertified products is in compliance with the DTI Department Administrative Order 17, Series of 1990 which states that seized products that adversely affect safety shall be destroyed or condemned.
In a media interview during the product destruction, Mary Ann Morales, the DTI Consumer Protection Chief, said that aside from the confiscation of the uncertified products, sellers were required to pay a substantial amount as a penalty.
Prior to the destruction of uncertified products, the seven business establishments involved in the case have paid a total of P386,136.35 as penalties.
Morales also added, “We urge the consumers to always check for the PS mark for local products and ICC stickers for imported products before buying products under the DTI mandatory certification schemes.”
DTI-12 conducts regular monitoring and enforcement activities in the region to ensure the protection of consumers from uncertified and substandard products. ♦
Date of Release: 20 October 2022