TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, March 23, (PIA) – Consumers should be aware that despite strict monitoring by government agencies tasked to implement product standards, some enterprising businessmen still sell products that could not pass the test of strength needed to construct disaster resilient structures.
This as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently confiscated some P258,326 worth of substandard construction materials already displayed in 6 establishments from Tagbilaran City and in Tubigon town.
The DTI along with a group from the Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau issued notices of violations to the same stores for selling construction materials that could not pass the Philippine National Standards (PNS), according to the DTI in Bohol.
According to the DTI, so as not to be fooled into buying substandard construction materials especially in plywood, deformed bars and galvanized iron sheets for roofing, consumers must do the following:
Check the basic markings on the plywood and galvanized iron (GI) sheets prior to purchase.
These basic markings include company name, trade name and the address of the manufacturer.
Also, the DTI said consumers must check the thickness in millimeter (mm); width in mm and the date of manufacture (month and year).
G.I. sheet markings must contain the phrase “For Roofing Use” on its face, DTI reminds.
DTI 7 Director Aster Caberte has said the agency is closely monitoring standards compliance for consumer products and construction materials, especially during this time that Bohol LGUs are currently undergoing reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts after the October 2013 earthquake.
She said the DTI dies this according to the mandates of Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines
The consumer Act mandates DTI to conduct monitoring and enforcement activities on the proper marking and labelling of consumer products.
“We have notified our field offices in the provinces to increase the frequency of their market visits to check on more products, including electrical supplies,” Caberte concluded. (rac/dti/PIABohol)
