DTI Seizes Almost P.5M Uncertified Products in Manila; Affirms Stable BNPC Prices and Supply

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), clutches Php418,578.00 worth of uncertified products; and verified the compliance of retail firms to the latest DTI Suggested Retail Price (SRP) bulletin in its simultaneous technical regulation enforcement and price and supply monitoring in Manila, on 16 December 2022.

Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo led the DTI monitoring and enforcement teams in inspecting retail firms within Manila.

The heightened enforcement resulted in the confiscation of 650 pieces of uncertified products including 67 pieces of self-ballasted LED bulbs; 144 pieces of lavatories and water closets; and 39 pieces of electric fans, electric rice cookers, electric food mixers, and induction cookers.

“The DTI’s intensified enforcement operation is to ensure that household appliances and other consumer products in the market have undergone and met safety standards,” Usec. Atty. Castelo said.

Usec. Atty. Castelo also reiterated that the DTI’s enforcement initiative is not to restrict business transactions. Instead, it safeguards product quality that guarantees market competitiveness and consumer safety.

All nine (9) firms inspected were issued a Notice of Violation. Thus, as part of the due process, the representative of the stores was given 48 hours to provide an explanation related to the findings of noncompliance.

Last 07 December 2022, DTI also conducted a similar activity that seized 609 pieces of uncertified products worth Php90, 569.00. Such has caused the issuance of NOVs to eight (8) retail firms for selling uncertified electric kettles, electric food mixers, electric fans, electric grills, electric cookers, electric food processors, electric rice cookers, electric juicers, and self-ballasted LED lamps.

From January to November 2022, FTEB has already confiscated 219,693 pieces of uncertified products worth Php67,490,780.90

The nationwide campaign of DTI against uncertified items in the market underscores the enforcement of DTI technical regulations mandating compliance with Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes, particularly Department Administrative Order No. 02, Series of 2007.

To protect consumers or potential buyers of electrical and electronic products; mechanical or building and construction materials; and chemical and other consumer products and systems, DTI- Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) regulates 87 products and systems through implementing Mandatory Product Certification Schemes: the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.

Meanwhile, Usec. Atty. Castelo also headed the price monitoring teams in inspecting two (2) supermarkets in Manila to check their compliance with the latest SRP bulletin, released last 12 August 2022.

Aside from being compliant with the latest SRP bulletin, Usec. Atty. Castelo affirmed that both of the monitored supermarkets follow the Noche Buena Price Guide. Moreover, all of the Shelf Keeping Units (SKUs) including Noche Buena items have appropriate price tags.

Furthermore, Usec. Atty. Castelo also expressed that based on their discussion with retail chains, owners, and operators, the DTI is certain that the supply and prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPCs) including Noche Buena Products will continue to remain stable.

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

DTI’s “Ikot Palengke” rounds Manila, Watches Over Prices of Noche Buena Staples

Through the team’s price monitoring, Undersecretary Castelo affirmed that the monitored supermarkets comply with the Noche Buena Price Guide. Likewise, all Shelf Keeping Units (SKUs) including Noche Buena items have appropriate price tags.

Upon surveying the prices and supply of Christmas staples, Undersecretary Castelo encouraged consumers to buy in bundles, as this buying scheme provides more affordable alternatives. Further, through product bundling, the buying experience of consumers is simplified.

Aside from the Noche Buena products, the “Ikot Palengke” program manned by the price monitoring task force of Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) also inspected the following (1) Prices and supply of processed and agricultural basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs); (2) Accuracy of weights and measures; and (3) Appropriate price tags.

Trade Secretary Fred Pascual steered the pilot run of “Ikot Palengke” in Marikina City to monitor the supply and prices of basic necessities and prime commodities and to prevent abusive business practices like illegal price manipulation and profiteering.

“As we get busy in preparation for the upcoming holidays, we remind our Filipino consumers to exercise their right to choose. Sa darating na Kapaskuhan at sa pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon, patuloy ang pagbabantay natin sa presyo at suplay ng mga pangunahin bilihin para masiguro ang mura at masaganang salu-salo para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino”, the Trade Chief assured the consuming public.

The DTI released the Suggested Retail Prices (SRP) Bulletin on 12 August 2022; while the Noche Buena Price Guide was released on 23 November 2022.

With the recent Noche Buena Price Guide, Secretary Pascual ensured that he will utilize all possible means to ensure that the prices of BNPCs in the SRP bulletin will not move until after the holiday season.

"We want to make sure that consumers will have access to reasonably-priced goods. Soon, we will conduct a meeting with manufacturers and various companies to possibly come up with solutions that are not only beneficial for them, considering the rising cost of production but most especially for consumers", Pascual said.

Price bulletins and guides aim to boost consumer education by guiding the consuming public in making informed purchases.

The DTI-FTEB conducts weekly monitoring of the price and supply of basic necessities such as, but not limited to, canned sardines, processed milk, powdered milk, coffee, bread, instant noodles, salt, detergent soap, bottled water, and candles; and prime commodities such as, but not limited to, canned meat, vinegar, patis, soy sauce, toilet soap, batteries, flour, cement, hollow blocks, construction nails, light bulbs, electrical supplies, and steel wires. Likewise, through the Ikot Palengke Program of DTI, the team will also conduct monitoring of Christmas staples until New Year.

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

Trade Chief tightens price watch in markets with “Ikot Palengke” Marikina-run

23 November 2022—Trade Secretary Fred Pascual steered the pilot run of “Ikot Palengke,” to ensure that the Marikina City public market and supermarkets in the vicinity uphold fair trading and consumer protection amidst inflation and other unprecedented economic factors.

Tagged with the theme, “Tamang Timbang, Tamang Presyo Para sa Mamimiling Pilipino,” Secretary Pascual heads the monitoring task force of the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) in inspecting the: prices and supply of processed and agricultural basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs); accuracy of weights and measures; and appropriate price tags.

The “Ikot Palengke” also includes checking the prices and supply of Christmas staples in time with the release of the Noche Buena Price Guide, on the same day. The Price Guide is intended to boost consumer awareness and assist consuming public in making informed purchases.

“Today’s launch of the “Ikot Palengke” reminds everyone that we at DTI will always make sure to protect our consumers. Let this be a warning to unscrupulous traders and those who do abusive practices such as hoarding, profiteering and cartels. We will not tolerate such," Trade and Industry Secretary said. He continued “Huwag natin lalong pahirapan ang ating mga kababayan!"

Strategic market monitoring seeks to address the issues of profiteering and hoarding. It also seeks to ensure the availability of other alternative products to BNPCs in case of supply shortage. Regular market monitoring guarantees that there will be no artificial shortages that will affect prices.

The Republic Act No. 7581 or The Price Act, as amended, mandates implementing agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure stable prices and supply of BNPCs.

Furthermore, the DTI as part of the implementing agencies of the Price Act (Republic Act No. 7581, as amended by RA No. 10623, is mandated to coordinate and rationalize government programs aimed to stabilizing prices and supplies of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs).

The DTI-FTEB conducts weekly monitoring of the price and supply of basic necessities such as, but not limited to, canned sardines, processed milk, powdered milk, coffee, bread, instant noodles, salt, detergent soap, bottled water, and candles; and prime commodities such as, but not limited to, canned meat, vinegar, patis, soy sauce, toilet soap, batteries, flour, cement, hollow blocks, construction nails, light bulbs, electrical supplies, and steel wires.

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

DTI Rolls Out Online Import Permit Application

The Import Regulation Division (IRD) of the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) rolled out its online processing of applications for Certificate of Authority to Import (CAI) through the DTI Integrated Registration and Information Systems otherwise known as IREGIS. The online portal, which can be accessed at iregis.dti.gov.ph facilitates the processing of FTEB frontline services including the application for import permit of used vehicles.

The online application and issuance of CAI is in line with the government initiative on Ease of Doing Business and Government Service Act of 2018, which aims to streamline frontline procedures and to reduce the processing time on securing government permits and licenses.

“The automation of our processes is intended to modernize not only our office but private business enterprises as well, and we are hopeful that this move will contribute to a more seamless and simplified system in the future,” said Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth Castelo.

“Our clients can now secure their import permits at the comfort of their homes since everything can now be done through IREGIS-- from filing of application, online payment, evaluation and approval down to releasing of certificates,” FTEB Director Ronnel Abrenica stated.

Further, DTI incorporated a technical support chat box in the IREGIS applicant dashboard that is available from 8AM to 5PM on weekdays to assist the clients in navigating the recently launched online portal.

For more information and questions about online import permit application, you may send an email to fteb_ird@dti.gov.ph or may call Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384).

DTI, CIDG Raid Essential Product Hoarders in Manila and Caloocan

Following the heightened consumer protection alert of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in this State of calamity declared by President Duterte, the DTI - Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) of the Consumer Protection Group (CPG), led by FTEB Director Ronnel O. Abrenica, and the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit (AFCCU) of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), led by PCOL Bayani M. Razalan, conducted an Entrapment Operation on March 20, 2020 against medical establishments located in Bambang, Manila and Sangandaan, Caloocan. The raids were in response to reports or complaints received from several consumers and complaints through Facebook account against establishments from Bambang and Caloocan respectively for alleged overpricing and hoarding of various medical products.

Through a Buy-Bust operation, the establishment in Bambang was caught by DTI-CIDG in the act of selling 60ml Isopropyl Alcohol at PhP80.00 per bottle, which is in disobedience to the Price Freeze issued by the government. Subsequent to the declaration of Public Health Emergency, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a Price Freeze on emergency medicines and medical supplies for the information of the public and for the compliance of retailers concerned. There was also an indication of Hoarding, taking into consideration the presence of signages that there are no available stocks to make it appear that there is shortage. However, contrary to such representation, alcohol products are available for sale to buyers, not to mention the several boxes thereof or volume of stocks discovered by the raiding agencies. In other words, the establishment is trying to depict an “Artificial Shortage.”

In the Bambang operation, the DTI-CIDG recovered 684 pieces of 500ml bottle of Green Cross 40% solution, 72 pieces of 500ml Green Cross 70% solution, 336 pieces of 60ml bottle Green cross alcohol, and 288 pieces of 40ml Green Cross alcohol hand spray amounting to an estimated total of Php231,000.00. The operation ensued in Sangandaan, which led to the arrest of the suspects who were caught in the act of selling overpriced 70% Ethyl Alcohol and the seizure of 83 pcs 500ml Ethyl Alcohol being sold at Php 140.00 each and 48 pcs of 1-liter Ethyl Alcohol being sold at Php 250.00 each with an overall estimated value of Php 23,620.00. All these alcohol products were brought to CIDG-AFCCU for proper documentation and processing.

Meanwhile, the DTI will refer the matter to the Local Government Unit concerned for appropriate action, recommending preferably the closure and cancellation of the Business Permit issued in favor of the retailer subject of the joint operation. Administrative charges shall be filed by DTI while the criminal charges shall be filed by CIDG-AFCCU or jointly with DTI, for violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 7581 or the Price Act as amended by RA No.10623 and/or RA No.7394 of Consumer Act of the Philippines. The charges shall also refer to Proclamation No. 922 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency and Article 14 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) on Aggravating Circumstances for the imposition of the maximum penalty prescribed by applicable laws.

Secretary Ramon M. Lopez explains, “Price Freeze is strictly implemented, which is why the DTI warns the establishments against taking advantage of the situation, particularly the high demand of alcohol of such nature, by raising their prices in excess of the ceiling provided either under the Automatic Price Control provision of the Price Act or the Price Ceiling set by the DOH.”

Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo reiterates to the consuming public to always check the issued Price Freeze or Price Ceiling on Medical Supplies and report any erring offline or online establishments through our Consumer Care hotline.

For further inquiries, clarifications, and/or complaints, consumers may immediately connect through Consumer Care hotline at 1-DTI (1-384) or may email at consumercare@dti.gov.ph

DTI Suspends PS Licenses of Six Steel Manufacturers

Contrary to the recent statement made by a product standards and quality group that government has failed to take action against retailers and manufacturers of substandard steel, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) suspended the Philippine Standard (PS) licenses of six (6) steel manufacturers in 2019 for failing the independent testing commissioned by the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) from the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC).

These steel manufacturers include Maxima Steel Mills Corp., Henro Steel Corp., Steel Asia Manufacturing Corp. – Meycauayan Bulacan Plant, Cathay Metal Corp., Somico Steel Mill Corporation, and Sagarthama Steel Trading Corporation.

1) Maxima Steel Mills Corp. - Deformed Steel Bar and Equal Leg Angle Bar

2) Henro Steel Corp. - Rerolled Steel Bar

3) Steel Asia Manufacturing Corp. - Meycauayan Bulacan Plant - Deformed Steel Bar

4) Cathay Metal Corp. - Equal Leg Angle Bar

5) Somico Steel Mill Corporation - Rerolled Steel Bar

6) Sagarthama Steel Trading Corporation - Deformed Steel Bar

The suspension order resulted from unannounced surveillance audits conducted by the BPS in 2019 on various steel manufacturing plants in the country. Samples culled from these audits that were subjected to testing by the MIRDC proved that these six steel manufacturers were not compliant with the standards indicated in Philippine National Standard (PNS) 49, Series of 2002. Until these steel manufacturers comply with the PNS, their PS licenses will remain suspended.

In addition to this, the BPS denied the issuance of Import Commodity Clearances (ICC) for deformed steel bars and equal leg angle bars imported by Megawide Construction Corporation, Petron Corporation, and Remington Industrial Sales Corporation, approximately valued at over sixty-eight million pesos (P68,000,000).

The deformed steel bars imported by Megawide Construction Corporation were denied issuance of ICC due to non-compliance with PNS 49:2002 while those imported by Petron Corporation had no proper markings. Remington Industrial Sales Corporation, on the other hand, has no valid PS license for the importation of equal leg angle bars. All these imported steel bars were either destroyed or exported to their country of origin.

It can also be recalled that in September 2019, Wan Chiong Steel Corp. was found to be manufacturing deformed steel bars that are not covered by the scope of their PS license. After due process and filing of formal charge, the DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) issued a decision last November 2019 for said steel manufacturing company to pay administrative penalty amounting to P450,000.00. Earlier, the same steel manufacturer was suspended for five (5) months for non-compliance with PNS 49.

Similarly, Dragon Asia Rolling Mills was also found to be manufacturing steel that are not covered by the scope of their PS license. Formal charge against the company has been filed by the FTEB and the case is now up for decision.

“For the whole of 2019, the DTI penalized a total of 42 retailers and manufacturers of steel — a clear contrast to the claim of a product safety and quality group that the Department failed to charge violating steel manufacturers and traders for substandard steel products. The DTI stops at nothing in tracking down unscrupulous businesses and ensuring that violators are dealt with to the highest and fullest extent of the law. The protection of consumers is our utmost priority and we remain steadfast in our commitment,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

Since the beginning of President RodrigoDuterte’s  administration, the DTI has intensified its surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement efforts on all products and services that are under its jurisdiction, especially those included in the mandatory product certification list such as steel.

In conjunction with this effort, the DTI advises the public to remain vigilant when purchasing products, including steel and other construction materials. Always look for the PS or ICC mark to be assured of quality and safety.

For the complete list of products that should bear the PS and ICC marks, please visit the BPS portal at www.bps.gov.ph. To report establishments selling uncertified and non-conforming products, please call the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or send an email to consumercare@dti.gov.ph.