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SUBSTANDARD ITEMS

9 establishments under probe for selling substandard products

Nine commercial establishments in the city are now under investigation by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo for violation of Department Administrative Order (DAO) No.2, Series of 2002 or the Product Standards Law.

Enforcement and monitoring teams led by DTI Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. on October 20 and 21 confiscated non-compliant products covered by mandatory standards from the nine establishments.

Cadena however withheld the names of the said establishments pending the investigation.

Confiscated items were automotive batteries, brake fluids, Christmas lights, fake lighters, switches, outlets, and steel bars that do not bear the PS (Philippine Standards) Quality Certification Mark for locally-made products and those without the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) document attesting that these imported products conform to the specific Philippine National Standard.

DAO No. 2, Series of 2002 defines the responsibilities and liabilities of manufacturers, importers, traders, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and or their agents, with regard to products covered by mandatory product certification and prescribing penalties for violation thereof.

The inspection team consisted of DTI-Iloilo staff and representatives from the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), Bureau of Import Services (BIS) and Phil. Product Safety and Quality Foundation (PPSQF).

Cadena said the accomplishment tends to send a strong message to Iloilo traders that DTI-Iloilo is serious in implementing the provisions and intent of trade and industry law.

Further, Cadena said that they are intensifying their monitoring operations with the coming of the holiday season.

To note, traders proliferate during the holiday season as people engage in shopping activities.

Earlier, DTI has also implemented intensified monitoring of prices of basic commodities in the wake of the implementation of the Expanded Value Tax (EVAT).