By: Lito Rulona
Correspondent
THE City Council Committee on Commerce, Trade and Industry would summon the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on the reported proliferation of substandard Christmas lights and decors as these may cause fire and electrical accidents.
City Councilor Edna Dahino said they wanted the DTI to do something about the substandard products that has been proliferating in the local markets and even inside big malls and department stores.
‘Nakahatag kini og kakuyaw dili lamang sa mamaligyaay apan apil sa consuming public,” she pointed.
She said despite reminding the public to refrain from buying fake Christmas lights and decorations as these may cause fire and electrical accidents, the spread of these products was unabated.
Adding that “We need to investigate this because there are so many incidents in the past and previous days that substandard devises or electrical products has been causing fire incidents not only in the city but also to provinces nearby”.
“Rampant kaayo karon kay pasko man. We need to investigate and inspect all bodegas to check. I am advising the public to always look for ICC or Import Commodity Clearance, and Philippine Standards (PS) seal when buying Christmas lights,” she pointed out.
Dahino said products must have proper labeling and markings such as the Philippine Standards mark for locally made and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark for imported ones.
Other important labels that consumers should check on the package of Christmas lights are the name, address and trademark of the importer or the distributor of the product to easily track the distributor for possible complaints.
“We need to call on the attention of the DTI both provincial and regional office to update us on the real scenario in the market,” she claimed.
Under the law, manufacturers, importers and retailers found not complying with the BPS Product Certification Scheme will be filed with administrative charges for violation of the DTI Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2:2007; Republic Act (RA) 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines; and RA 4109 or the Standards Law.
“Manggawas ra ba gyud kining mga substandard nga mga gamit panahon sa pasko. Halos tanan tawo nagdali unya dili na nila susihon kung ang ilang napalit usa ba ka genuine,” she pointed out.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
