THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry reminded consumers to only purchase Christmas lights with proper safety markings that passed mandatory standards as the holiday season approaches.
Deolly L. Roque, chief trade and industry development specialist, said only those products with the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker comply with the safety and quality standards.
Local manufacturers are required to secure PS marks while importers must first obtain the ICC sticker.
Roque reminded consumers to be vigilant about fake PS and ICC marks. ICC stickers are holographic and contain a unique number code and can be verified through the ICC verification mobile application which can be downloaded in IOS and Android. For PS Marks, consumers may call DTI- Bureau of Philippine Standards for verification.
The official said they have intensified their monitoring on the ground since the last week of October, which will run until December. At present, there have been no reports of confiscated substandard items.
DTI-XI will also hold non-compliant vendors liable. “First, they should have a license coming from the BPS, may revocation in case found out na walang license, at may corresponding penalty depending on the amount or value of the substandard products,” she added.
Christmas lights sold in the streets are not exempt from inspection. Roque urged the public to call the DTI’s Consumer Protection Division immediately to report erring retailers.
Noche buena goods SRP
Meanwhile, the DTI and the National Price Coordinating Council are presently working on the latest price guide for Noche Buena packages.
Roque said there is a slight increase in the price of these due to transportation and raw material costs. They will immediately distribute the price list once it is finalized.
“Ang prices kasi mag vary din sa brand, it will be the consumer’s guide which product is more affordable,” Roque said.
Sari-sari stores, however, are not covered by the SRP guide list as they have add-on costs. “Usually, source nila is the department stores under the SRP level, so it is understood na medyo taas gyud ang presyo sa mga sari-sari stores,” she added.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual earlier lauded Executive Order 41 discontinuing the collection of pass-through charges for the use of local and national roads as it is timely for the upcoming holiday season.
Pascual said EO 41, signed on Sep 25 by President Ferdinand Marcos, will alleviate the logistics cost of goods and merchandise come Christmas and New Year.
“LGUs are further strongly urged to suspend the collection of any form of fees such as but not limited to sticker fees, discharging fees, delivery fees, market fees, toll fees, entry fees, or Mayor’s Permit fees that are imposed upon all motor vehicles transporting goods and passing through any local public roads built and funded by said LGUs, “ EO 41 Section 1 reads.
