In a bid to intensify the monitoring and enforcement of trade and industry/fair-trade laws, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Fair-Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) eyes for possible collaborations through meeting with Business Permits Licensing Officers (BPLOs) on 01 February 2024 via an online conferencing device.

The online meeting with the BPLO Officers was attended by Local Government Units (LGUs) from the NCR including Malabon City, Muntinlupa City, Valenzuela City, Manila City, Pateros City, Navotas City, Quezon City, and San Juan City.  The FTEB Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist, Ms. Kristina D. Javier, spearheaded the discussion on the role of DTI-FTEB in protecting consumers and their welfare, being the DTI’s primary regulatory arm, particularly for enforcement. 

DTI-FTEB Director Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali expressed his gratitude for BPLOs’ participation in exploring possible collaborations to intensify consumer protection through monitoring and enforcement. He also reiterated the FTEB programs conducted in the past in collaboration with LGUs, such as, Sweeptember in 2023, enforcement of vape products, critical consumer products, and the Local Price Coordinating Council’s (LPCC) “Ikot Palengke”. Dir. Sawali closed the event by expressing FTEB’s willingness for collaboration in achieving the common goal of intensifying consumer protection.

Being the largest bureau of the Consumer Protection Group (CPG), the DTI-FTEB is mandated to be the DTI’s regulatory and implementing arm in enforcing compliance with the different Trade and Industry Laws, specifically Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA No. 7394), the Price Act (RA No. 7581 as amended by RA No. 10623), and the Law on Products Standards (RA No. 4109). 

The FTEB has been conducting joint monitoring and enforcement activities for price and supply monitoring with LGUs within the NCR and enforcing RA 11900, or the Vape Law, and Technical Regulations since its inception. It also partners with Consumer Groups, Industries, and Government Agencies, namely the Department of Agriculture (DA), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Metro Manila Council (MMC).

The DTI enjoins consumers to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic necessities above their SRPs and uncertified products, through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or consumercare@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of release: 26 March 2024

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