DTI destroys confiscated fake products in Trinidad

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Dept. of Trade and Industry led destruction of confiscated uncertified and substandard products at their warehouse here to prevent these from being bought by the public. 
    DTI Cordillera OIC regional director Juliet Lucas and Baguio – Benguet provincial director  lawyer  Samuel Gallardo with DTI regional officials and a representative from the Commission on Audit headed  destruction of 939 pieces of steel bars worth P140, 000 and several pieces of PVC pipes, cements and plywood confiscated from a business establishment in Baguio City.
Gallardo said monitoring and enforcement on the compliance to the Philippine National Standards (PNS) is part of DTI’s mandate.
    There are more than 80 products covered by mandatory certification under their watch which include construction products, motor vehicle parts and accessories and electronic appliances.
    He bared that based on DTI assessment, business establishments in the Baguio – Benguet area are generally compliant to the PNS.  
    There are just instances that suppliers are bringing in substandard or uncertified products.
    Gallardo told business establishments to ensure products they are selling have Philippine standard (PS) quality and/or safety mark or have import commodity clearance (ICC) sticker.

Aside from confiscation of uncertified and substandard products, business owners or retailers found violating said law are also liable to pay a P25, 000 administrative fine.

Gallardo urged the public to check if products they are buying have a PS mark or ICC certification. A

He said buyers should not immediately buy products from any establishment without checking or comparing it to other retailers to make sure that they get value for their money. -- PIA Cordillera