By Marie Joy Carbungco | Philippine Information Agency
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Luzon is intensifying its programs and services to ensure that consumers are protected at all times.
DTI Regional Consumer Protection Division Chief Jerry Maglalang said the provincial offices conduct weekly monitoring of prices and supply situation of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) at various grocery stores and supermarkets in the region to prevent overpricing and profiteering.
From January to November 2021, Maglalang said that they were able to monitor 933 BNPCs in 220 establishments across the region.
“The results of our monitoring activities show that supplies of BNPCs are still sufficient and available in major supermarkets and grocery stores in the region. Prices are also within the suggested retail price (SRP), including Noche Buena items,” he said.
Aside from SRPs of BNPCs issued on August 29, DTI also issued SRP for Noche Buena products on November 23, 2021.
These include 11 commodities namely ham, keso de bola, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, pasta/spaghetti, elbow macaroni, salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and creamer/all-purpose cream.
Meanwhile, Maglalang added that DTI also conducts regular monitoring and enforcement of fair trade laws, specifically on mandatory products for standards compliance that include steel bars, cement, PVC pipes, and electrical products including home appliances.
As of November 30, DTI provincial offices were able to monitor a total 1,341 establishments. Of these, two establishments were penalized for selling uncertified products.
“To augment the enforcement activity conducted by the provincial offices, DTI composed the Regional Enforcement Team to engage enforcement personnel for cross border monitoring. From October 20 to November 4, the team monitored 63 establishments regionwide, covering the seven provinces and 21 municipalities. They were able to issue notices of violation to two establishments,” he said.
For the Christmas season, Maglalang said they also included the monitoring of Christmas lights for Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks, where they covered 27 establishments with no non-compliance.
To further educate consumers, DTI conducted four radio interviews on safety of Christmas lights, sales promotion, noche buena SRP, and holiday shopping tips and one webinar on air passenger rights from November 2021 to present.
Meanwhile, Maglalang reported that through the assistance of DTI Bulacan, six fireworks manufacturers in the province were able to get PS certification.
These include Dragon Fireworks Incorporated, Diamond Fireworks Inc., Legendary Fireworks Inc., Pegasus Fireworks, Phoenix Fireworks, and Double L Fireworks.
“This is to support our pyrotechnic industry in Bulacan. With this, they can now sell and distribute to the market their products freely without being apprehended by authorities such as the DTI. Consumers are advised to buy only these certified fireworks and pyrotechnics for their safety,” he said. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)-rir
