P2.3-M Christmas lights, lamps destroyed

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in cooperation with the Valenzuela City police, destroyed yesterday some P2.3 million worth of substandard Christmas lights and compact fluorescent lamps stashed in a rented warehouse in Barangay Marulas.

Valenzuela police deputy chief Superintendent Nestor Dioso and DTI Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) director Jesus Motoomull led the destruction of 34,000 sets of “Diana” brand Christmas lights valued at some P2 million and 1,800 pieces of compact fluorescent lamps worth around P324,000.

“The destroyed items were imported from China and did not undergo the mandatory safety and quality tests of the DTI,” Sheryle Pablo of the DTI-BPS told The STAR.

Authorities said the sale of the unregistered products is illegal and the items are considered fire hazards due to their poor quality.

“These inferior products start to arrive in volumes as Christmas season approaches, so the DTI is intensifying its drive to protect legitimate businesses, especially our consumers,” Pablo said.

Motoomull reminded the buying public yesterday to patronize only products with Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) markings to make sure that they passed safety and quality tests.

He said the DTI regulates the sale of critical consumer products, including Christmas lights and lamps, “that greatly affect life, property and health to safeguard the welfare of consumers.”

Motoomull warned unscrupulous traders that the DTI is constantly monitoring their activities and will not hesitate to seize and destroy inferior goods and charge those involved in their proliferation.  – Pete Laude