THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned consumers against the proliferation of uncertified and unregistered products in the market, notably those sold online.
This after the agency’s Task Force Kalasag confiscated nearly P90 million worth of uncertified appliances and other items in the last three months.
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the last three operations in Tanza in Cavite, Plaridel in Bulacan, and in Valenzuela resulted in the confiscation of 33,425 units or pieces of appliance or items worth a total of P25.4 million. Most of the items seized in the Tanza raid were blenders, food processors, and electric kettles.
“Para masampolan at mabigyan warning ‘yung mga may intensyon na magbenta ng illegal products at mga consumers na mabiyan rin ng alert,” Pascual said.
Pascual said the products are being sold online, including in popular online shopping sites.
All of the products were discovered to have no Philippine Standard mark or Import Commodity Clearance sticker.
Unregistered products can be harmful and may lead to fire or other untoward incidents, not to mention the potential economic losses due to non-payment of taxes, Pascual said.
He added that a complete description or label of the products, especially the appliances, must also be included, and it must be either in English or Filipino.
“Sino gumawa niyan. Ano ang mga specification ng produkto. Doon pa lang ang mga consumers dapat mabigyan ng warning na huwag sila madala dahil sa mura,” he asserted.
Pascual now plans to require online shopping sites to ask retailers or sellers to include a full description of the product including photos of the information and the required sticker.
“Let’s issue an order na ‘yung mga products na binebenta online kailangan ‘yung label, pictures of label should also be accessible to consumers,” DTI chief said.
The confiscated appliances and other items are expected to be destroyed by DTI.
Task Force Kalasag plans to continue its operations and move to other products. They are also in coordination with other agencies like the Bureau of Customs to monitor how some illegal products enter the country. (ABS-CBN News)
