DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/19 October) — The Department of Trade and Industry Region 11 (DTI-11) and the city government have urged consumers to only purchase products with PS (Product Standards) and ICC (Import Commodity Clearance) markings to get the best value for their money.
Consumers have to choose only those products that have mandatory standard marks, DTI-11 Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said Thursday during the opening of the two-day Regional Consumer Fair at the NCCC Mall of Davao.
Loreto said the mandatory standard marks include only the ICC, for imported products, and PS, for Philippine made commodities.
“We are focusing not only on the products of the construction industry but also those that are being used on a daily basis that will affect the safety of our consumers,” she said on promoting the markings.
These products include liquefied petroleum gas, fire extinguisher, tiles, monobloc (plastic) chairs, household products such as flat irons, electric fans, rice cookers, airpot and oven, and even motorcycle helmets, among others, Loreto said.
She noted that they have received complaints from consumers about products of substandard quality.
“But because we have been vigilant, we always hold dialogues with our business partners so they know the standards on what is allowed and not,” Loreto said.
She said that some companies have been penalized for not following the standard quality but declined to identify them.
In the Davao region, DTI-11 has fewer problems with partner companies as most of them are “very responsible,” Loreto said.
Most complaints filed with DTI-11 were about the warranty of mobile phones, she said, citing that the companies involved provided only a month of warranty instead of at least a year.
“We have a mediation process in which we invite the complainant and concerned company to settle the issue, either by paying the consumer a certain amount of money or product replacement,” Loreto said.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said during the program that the consumer fair was an important event to raise awareness among consumers and for them to get the best value for their money.
The mayor advised consumers who have bought substandard products to immediately report them to DTI-11 to avoid wasting their money.
Joining the consumer’s fair were at least 18 exhibitors of PS-licensed products such as ceramic tiles, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, various construction materials and electrical products.
The Philippine Product Safety and Quality Foundation, Inc. showcased the PS-certified products of their members who are based in Metro Manila, and some uncertified products for comparison.
The fair is part of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration. (Lorie Ann A. Cascaro/MindaNews)
