As the holiday season approaches, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) began its quality inspection of Christmas lights and appliances.
The department also checked if Noche Buena items are being sold according to government’s price guides.
According to a “24 Oras” report by Bernadette Reyes, Senate committee on commerce, trade and entrepreneurship chairperson Senator Mark Villar led the inspection in major home improvement stores and small entrepreneurs in Pasig City.
“Siguraduhin na up to standard po yung mga produkto natin, lalo na malapit na ang Pasko,” Villar said.
(Let us make sure that our products are up to standards, especially since Christmas is near.)
According to DTI, items that have been approved and marked safe bear holographic ICC stickers on the product that can be scanned through the department’s app.
It added price guides for Noche Buena items will be released next week.
While there are expected price mark-ups on several items, manufacturers assured that this will not be felt by consumers.
“In its statement [Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc.] , it said that although costs increased by 15 to 20 percent… In recognition of their desire to help the Filipino consumers, …they will try to maintain their prices so we will have a happy Christmas,” DTI Assistant Secretary Mary Jean Pacheco said.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News
