CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Nueva Ecija is stepping up consumer protection efforts by inspecting hardware stores to ensure that steel wires and other products meet mandatory standards and do not pose safety risks.
DTI OIC-Provincial Director Warren Patrick Serrano said the agency enforces Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act and Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, which mandate inspections to ensure that products sold in the market are safe and compliant with specifications.
“Under Republic Act 7394, we are mandated to monitor products that may endanger consumer safety, such as electronic equipment and vehicle tires, through inspections of manufacturing areas,” Serrano explained.
He added that Consumer Protection Personnel are also inspecting hardware stores to check steel products, stressing that substandard materials in bridges, houses, and roads can endanger lives, with teams currently on the ground conducting inspections.
He stressed that this is how DTI safeguards consumers’ safety and welfare.
Serrano explained that warranties under the law provide a minimum of 60 days for hidden defects, contrary to the common seven-day store policy, and that consumers have the right to refund, replacement, or repair defective or expired goods.
He also warned against online scams, advising the public to buy only from legitimate platforms with clear contact details, check labels and fine prints, and choose cash-on-delivery transactions whenever possible.
“One important tip when ordering online is to choose cash on delivery because once you pay in advance, it will be difficult to recover your money if problems arise and if the delivery rider refuses to release the item, you still have the option as a consumer not to proceed with the transaction, but always make sure the seller has a chatbox, email, physical address, and clear fine prints before making any purchase,” Serrano shared.
On the business side, Serrano highlighted that Negosyo Centers provide training and counseling to prepare residents for entrepreneurship.
“In our Negosyo Centers, one of the first seminars is on entrepreneurial mindset to help you prepare yourself, followed by being your own boss, which emphasizes responsibility over prestige,” he said.
Residents may also access financial assistance through the Small Business Corporation or be referred to partner financing institutions, while young entrepreneurs are given opportunities to develop business skills and gain exposure to trade fairs.
Through these initiatives, DTI Nueva Ecija aims to build confident entrepreneurs and informed consumers who are well-protected from risks in the market. (CLJD/MCAL, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija GIP)
