CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “Smartphones,” or cellular telephones that evolved with an integrated computer and other features not originally associated with telephones, such as an operating system, web browsing and the ability to run software applications and multiple cameras with touchscreen monitors topped consumer complaints filed in offices of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Central Luzon this third quarter of 2018.
According to DTI regional director Judith P. Angeles, there were 27 smartphone-related complaints throughout the region this year as compared to 22 for the same period last 2017.
Other products that were the top subjects of consumer complaints include televisions, laptops, motorcycles, air-conditioning units and washing machines.
Information from the DTI regional office released by the Philippine Information Agency-3 recently showed that the DTI provincial office in Zambales had the most number of consumer complaints received for the third quarter of 2018 with 39 followed by Bulacan with 38, Bataan 37, Pampanga 27, Tarlac 21, Nueva Ecija 13, Regional Office 12, and Aurora 1.
“We continue to remind our consumers to always request for warranty certificates or cards when buying consumer products,” Angeles said.
“We also ask buyers of electric and electronic products such as Christmas lights, electric plugs, appliances and gadgets to look for proper markings like the Philippine Standards mark or the Import Commodity Clearance mark,” she added.
To make sure that these marks/stickers are not counterfeit, consumers are advised to check that these are hologram stickers and not reproduced stickers which unscrupulous suppliers manufacture without the proper authority to sell or make use of.
DTI has a Consumer Hotline (1-384) which can be called in case buyers have concerns with their purchases, the regional director said.
