MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Task Force Kalasag has confiscated a total of PHP89.76 million worth of uncertified and non-compliant products and vape units as of July 15.
In a press conference in Makati City Tuesday, Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Director Fhilip Sawali said PHP61.87 million worth of the seized products were essential consumer goods and some PHP27.88 million were vape units.
Sawali said among the recent raid operations of the task force were on June 26 in Valenzuela, with total confiscated goods valued at PHP7.75 million; on July 3 in Plaridel, Bulacan, with a haul amounting to PHP9.35 million; and on July 15 in Tanza, Cavite amounting to PHP8.28 million.
In a separate statement, DTI said some PHP9.7 million worth of uncertified goods were also seized from 62 establishments in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur from June 24 to 28.
The FTEB official said the DTI recommended for the closure of the raided warehouses. The local government units of Tanza and Valenzuela have already implemented the shutdown of the facilities while FTEB is still awaiting for the closure of the Plaridel warehouse.
Among the confiscated products under technical regulations were ceramic tiles/sanitary wares, plywood, lead-acid batteries, appliances, television sets, tires for automotive vehicles, electrical lighting and wiring devices, dry chemical portable fire extinguisher, pipe for portable water supplies, lighter, monobloc chairs, helmet and visors, motor vehicle brake fluid, inner tubes for tires, steel wires and angle bars, deformed steel bars, medical grade oxygen, safety belts, and unplasticized polyvinyl chloride or UPVC rigid electrical conduit.
“Our Task Force Kalasag has observed a recent proliferation of uncertified and definitely, unsafe home appliances,” Sawali said.
He added these uncertified products are being sold in electronic commerce or e-commerce platforms.
“We send show-cause order to the platform and then attaching the URL of the post that offered the uncertified product. Within two days, they are able to take down the products from their platform. Luckily, for the big platforms, they are able to take down 100 percent of those uncertified and violative produces,” he added in a separate interview.
DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual also urged Filipinos to become more vigilant and to carefully check proper markings when buying essential consumer products.
For instance, a product label that is written in foreign language —not in English or Filipino— is a clear sign that the product is uncertified or did not comply with the law.
He added the government is also losing revenue collection from these imported products that did not go through the proper process.
The trade chief said the Task Force Kalasag will continue its crackdown on uncertified products nationwide as the group is in close coordination with the DTI’s regional and provincial offices and local police authorities to conduct inspections and raid operations.
"These uncertified and untested products pose danger and hazards to Filipino consumers. We strongly encourage everyone to verify the presence of the PS mark and ICC stickers to ensure that what they are buying has been proven safe and of quality," DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Teodoro Uvero said.
“Through such efforts, all of us can do our part to eliminate substandard materials in the market,” he added. (PNA)
