The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) inspected 18 stores at the Divisoria shopping center in Manila and confiscated 235 units of uncertified and unbranded Christmas lights on Thursday as part of its annual monitoring of seasonal holiday products.
Led by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, the DTI also issued notices of violation to four sellers who were required to forward a written explanation, within 48 hours, why some of its holiday products were priced higher than the suggested prices.
With the agency’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), the DTI also checked the prices of common holiday products, such as pasta, sauce, noodles, ham, and cheese, following the recent publication of the Price Guide for Noche Buena items on Nov. 21.
The roving team visited supermarkets and found Noche Buena products priced lower than the suggested prices.
Pascual warned sellers that items with price gaps that are way higher than the suggested prices from the guide will be reported to manufacturers, who will be left to their means to deal with the erring retailers.
The DTI team did the rounds of malls and stalls within the busy commercial center to check on prices and quality of Christmas ornaments and ensure that all electric holiday decorations conform to the Philippine Standard (PS) mark.
“The monitoring activity we had is just a part of the wider efforts of the DTI monitoring teams to go out every day to inspect prices and appropriately act on violators. Our primary goal is to ensure a wide range of quality and reasonably priced products for Filipino families during Noche Buena,” Pascual said.
Republic Act No. 7581, as amended by RA 10623, or the Price Act mandates the DTI and agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture, Health, Environment and Natural Resources, and Energy to ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate businesses a fair return on investment.
“The Department will continue to intensify its monitoring and enforcement operations, particularly during the Holiday season. We urge consumers to be vigilant and seek legitimate Philippine Standard (PS) Marks and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) when purchasing Christmas lights to ensure the safety of your family this holiday season,” Pascual said.
According to the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394), manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers shall be liable for damages caused to consumers by defective and unsafe products as well as for insufficient or inadequate information on the use and hazards.
The department “continuously engages in a campaign against uncertified items in the market,” including the enforcement of technical regulations mandating compliance with Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes, particularly Department Administrative Order No. 02, Series of 2007, he said.