The Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Group conducted a special price and supply monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) including noche buena / media noche items in Quezon City (QC) followed by an enforcement on fireworks’ compliance with technical regulations in Bocaue, Bulacan on Tuesday, 28 December 2021.
The DTI Monitoring and Enforcement Team led by DTI-CPG, Assistant Secretary Atty. Ann Claire C. Cabochan inspected two (2) supermarkets in QC to check the prices and availability of holiday food products for the new year celebration. One (1) of the two (2) inspected firms was found to be selling noche buena / media noche items above the DTI’s Suggested Retail Price (SRP). Consequently, the monitoring team from the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau issued a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and was directed to submit a written explanation within the prescribed period.
“Although we are nearing towards the end of 2021, we will not stop going after retailers who take advantage of the holidays; DTI is committed to ensuring the protection of consumers especially at this time,” CPG Assistant Secretary Cabochan underscored.
Right after the inspection in QC, the DTI Team in coordination with DTI-Bulacan and Philippine National Police (PNP), dashed to Bocaue, Bulacan to conduct a random inspection of several stalls selling fireworks and pyrotechnics. All seven (7) firms monitored, which were closed during the surprise spot-checking activity last 22 December 2021, were issued Notices of Violation (NOVs) for selling products without Philippine Standard (PS) Marks issued by the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS).
The issuance of NOV was anchored on Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2 Series of 2007 or Defining the Responsibilities and Liabilities of Manufacturers, Importers, Traders, Wholesalers, Distributors, Retailers, Service Providers and or their Agents, with regard to Products/Services covered by Philippine Standards (PS) Certification Mark Scheme and Prescribing Penalties for Violation thereof of the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) and Article 77 of Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as Consumer Act of the Philippines.
The team reported to have seized 659 uncertified fireworks with a retail value of PhP 39,193.00 during the said operation.
In connection therewith, the BPS released an updated list of licensed fireworks manufacturers in the country on 23 December 2021. Included in the list are Dragon Fireworks Incorporated, Diamond Fireworks Inc., Leegendary Fireworks, Inc., Pegasus Fireworks, Phoenix Fireworks, Double L Fireworks, Nation Fireworks, Luha Leonardo’s Fireworks Manufacturing, Andy Moldogo Firecrackers and Pyrotechnics Devices, Pyro Kreations Fireworks, and Yangco Fireworks Manufacturing. The aforementioned companies passed the mandatory requirements and underwent the conformity assessment process of the BPS.
“DTI conducts these random inspections to ensure that each Filipino family will welcome and celebrate the new year safely and joyfully,” said CPG Assistant Secretary Cabochan.
Consumers are encouraged to visit www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/e-presyo to see the list of noche buena / media noche products and its corresponding SRP. To check the official list of BPS Certified Philippine Standard (PS) Mark License holders for Fireworks covered by Philippine National Standards (PNS) 1220-1:1994 and PNS 1220-2:1994, please go to http://www.bps.dti.gov.ph/index.php/product-certification/approved-fireworks
To report unjust trade in the local market, please call 1-DTI (1-384) or send a consumer complaint to consumercare@dti.gov.ph.
