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DTI destroys P7.7million worth of substandard electrical appliances ahead of Christmas rush

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Nearly 9,900 electrical appliances worth more than P7.7 million were destroyed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday after they were found to be substandard.The agency’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) said the seized items, which included electric fans, rice cookers, blenders, kettles, and washing machines, were uncertified and did not undergo the proper testing— making them unsafe to use.It advised consumers not to buy items that do not have a Philippine Standard (PS) mark or an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker, especially as they go shopping for gifts or raffle giveaways this Christmas season.“Although nakamura ka, hindi mo alam na nalagay sa peligro o kapahamakan, hindi lang ikaw kundi yung pamilya mo so dapat mag-ingat talaga… Siyempre, magui-guilty ka, yung niregaluhan mo pala, sa kanya inabot na pumutok,” warned Atty. Marimel Porciuncula OIC Director of DTI-FREB.The products were initially seized back in June after a customer complained about a certain item that was bought online. Turns out the Valenzuela-based distributor had a warehouse full of uncertified home appliances.Sanctions for erring establishments include a cease and desist order and a minimum fine of P70,000, as stated in the Consumer Act of the Philippines.Porciuncula said the DTI is also engaging with online shopping platforms and merchants to make sure they post pictures of their products with the required DTI markings.If they don’t, DTI Assistant Secretary Michel Ablan said consumers can be more proactive.“Kung ikaw si consumer, diba mag-oorder ka online, pwede mo naman i-chat yung mismong nagbebenta so pwede mo hingin yung ICC o PS mark,” he said.Since April this year, the DTI-FTEB has already seized P340 million worth of substandard products.

Nearly 9,900 electrical appliances worth more than P7.7 million were destroyed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday after they were found to be substandard.

Nearly 9,900 electrical appliances worth more than P7.7 million were destroyed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday after they were found to be substandard.