PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Palawan destroyed uncertified products amounting to P327,594 confiscated from different stores in the province and city of Puerto Princesa on Friday, October 6.
Provincial Director Hazel Salvador said items were confiscated from 16 establishments during the monitoring from January to August. She expressed hope that this effort will help decrease the number of violators in the city and province.
“Bakit natin kailangan sirain? Kasi ang mga produkto na ito ay hindi dumaan sa quality control, pero kung dumaan man ay hindi pumasa. Wala silang tinatawag na certification marks, ICC at PS marks. Ibig sabihin noon ay delikado sila na gagamitin natin lalo na karamihan ito ay mga gamit sa bahay, gamit sa motorsiklo,” she said.
Salvador further explained that items must be destroyed rather than donated to ensure the safety of users.
The confiscated uncertified products include ceiling fans, electric multi-cooker, electric kettle, low-carbon steel wire, electric stove, motorcycle inner tubes, PVC electrical tapes, PE pipes, hot plates, electric cookers, electric mixers, electric frying pans, LED bulbs, electric fans, receptacles, outlets, electric grills, and electric pots.
The pressed lighters ignite the fire and burn other confiscated products included in the destruction at the sanitary landfill. (Photo by Rachel Ganancial)
The items are included in the list of products under mandatory certification. DTI destroyed the confiscated products at the Puerto Princesa Sanitary Landfill with the assistance of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
DTI recorded the highest number of confiscations of lighters in this year’s monitoring. Salvador said these were built with flashlights commonly sold to fishermen.
“Nagkataon na ngayong taon ang pinakamaraming nakompiska ay lighter—ang sabi kasi nila ay ginagamit daw ng mga fisherman dahil may ilaw siya. Ang lighter supposed to be ay pansindi, kapag nilagyan mo siya ng flashlight ay ibang purpose na siya,” she said.
The department has imposed a penalty of P93,000 on 16 violators. The city of Puerto Princesa topped the list of violators with six establishments, followed by El Nido with four establishments. In 2022, it recorded 18 violators out of 4,229 monitored establishments.
Personnel of the sanitary landfill and the Bureau of Fire Protection discuss the disposal of the burned items. (Photos by Rachel Ganancial)
After assuming her post in 2020, Salvador noticed that all establishments that have violated the certification marks and quality control only commit up to the first offense.
“Mapapakita natin na ang gobyerno ay kumikilos kasi nanghuhuli sila. Usually, sinasabi nila na makakatakas naman ‘yan. Pero tayo rito sa region at Palawan, regular natin ginagawa kaya nakakahuli talaga tayo," she said.
The destruction is also part of the celebration of Consumer Welfare Month this October, promoting consumer protection. (RG/PIA Mimaropa - Palawan)
