DTI confiscates P7 M substandard construction materials

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has confiscated over P7 million worth of construction materials which do not conform to product standards as of April this year. 

In a statement yesterday, the DTI said the Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) has confiscated and sealed a total 35,112 pieces of steel bars, equal-leg angle bars, uPVC pipes, G.I. wires, and electrical cords valued at over P7 million in the four months to April this year. 

Within the same period, the DTI monitored 1,173 firms and served a total of 138 notices of violation (NOVs). 

Of the total firms issued with NOVs, 118 were charged with administrative cases.

Establishments which are issued NOVs twice face criminal charges and could have their licenses and permits to operate revoked.

DTI’s confiscation of construction materials forms part of the agency’s efforts to step up monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure the quality of products being sold and promote consumer safety. 

While consumer group Laban Konsyumer Inc. has earlier called on the DTI to take action amid claims of substandard cement from Vietnam entering the country, FTEB’s recent monitoring found all cement products sold in monitored establishments to be compliant with the standards and to have proper markings set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS). 

“Even in the absence of such warning, the department remains vigilant and on top of matters pertaining to the quality of products. DTI’s intensified monitoring and enforcement efforts definitely include going after unscrupulous importers, traders, and retailers that intentionally disregard the mandatory product certification scheme of the BPS,” Ruth Castelo, undersecretary for DTI Consumer Protection Group, said. 

As part of DTI’s move to intensify its monitoring and enforcement activities, the agency is coming up with a list of compliant and non-compliant hardware stores to be made available to the public. 

The DTI is likewise getting the support of local government units (LGUs) in monitoring and enforcement activities.