DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Nov. 8 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to begin its monitoring on quality standard for Christmas lights and other similar appliances this month.

DTI  Negros Oriental Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio announced this in a recent Kapihan sa PIA forum as she also urged the public to practice safety precautions when buying Christmas lights. 

“Sa November magsugod naman mi ug monitor kay padung naman December. So ang paliton nato dapat, kanang Christmas lights, kanang naay PS mark or ICC (mark) meaning standard na siya. Niagi na siya testing ug nipasar siya nga safe siya gamiton (We will start our monitoring this month especially since it’s almost December. When we buy Christmas lights, we should look for those with PS mark or ICC mark which is proof that these items passed the testing and it is safe to use),” Virtucio said. 

She also advised buyers to check the packaging and verify if it is intended for internal use, noting that Christmas lights that are designated for outdoor use should not be used as decoration for indoor Christmas trees and vice-versa.

She also warned against using “octopus connection” or using one adapter socket for all electric plugs.

DTI will also start monitoring the prices of basic commodities for the Noche Buena and Media Noche by December.

In relation to this, Virtucio clarified that oil prices have no direct relation to increase in the prices of prime commodities.

“Walay relasyon si gasolina sa pagsaka sa presyo. Ngano? Dili gasolina ang gamiton sa pag-produce sa ato mga basic and prime commodities. Gamay ra ang part sa gasolina. Sa pag-distribute ra na (There is no direct relation between increase in the prices of fuel and the increase in the prices of basic commodities. Gasoline only plays a small part in the production of basic and prime commodities. It is more relevant in the distribution),” Virtucio explained.

In the production of canned sardines, for example, she cited that fuel accounts for only 0.1% in its production. 

The DTI official said it is the high dollar exchange which plays a factor in the increase of basic necessities, as raw materials needed for its production are imported.

“Ayaw ninyo i-conclude dayon na nimahal ang gasolina, momahal dayon ang presyo. Way labot si gasolina na sa pagmahal sa presyo (Don’t assume that the prices of basic commodities will go up with the increase of fuel prices),” Virtucio said. (RAL/ PIA7 Negros Oriental)