DTI leads monitoring of establishments, products in Baguio-La Trinidad
Volume XVIII No. 5 (November 8-14, 2014)
BAGUIO CITY, – The Department of Trade and Industry Baguio-Benguet Provincial office spearheaded an inspection of the different establishments and products at the Baguio City and the La Trinidad Public Market to ensure the consuming public they are buying quality goods with reasonable prices.
DTI personnel with ConsumerNet agency members divided themselves into groups to monitor specific establishments and products being sold with the assistance of the Philippine National Police and local government unit representatives.
The Department of Agriculture with the representatives of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Food Authority, Department of Science and Technology and the and the LGU’s Market Supervisors office visited the Baguio Public Market particularly inspecting the quality of products such as vegetables, fish, meat, rice and other goods being sold to the public.
They also inspected the calibration of weighing scales and conditions of the establishments and stalls particularly the maintenance of cleanliness and packaging of the products.
The second team led by the DTI together with the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Telecommunications Commission and representatives from the Treasurer and Licensing offices of the Baguio City Government inspected business establishments selling Christmas lights and other similar items particularly looking for the Product Standard Mark and ICC (Import Commodity Clearance) Stickers.
The Food and Drugs Administration with the Treasurer and Licensing offices of the City Government and DTI representatives also inspected department stores, drug stores and other establishment . The team checked various cosmetic products and foreign labeled products which could be harmful to the consumers. The group also looked into stalls selling slimming pills and other similar products which could be acquired and sold illegally.
The groups also conducted similar activity in La Trinidad with the supervision of the municipal government led by Mayor Edna Tabanda . They inspected the La Trinidad public market and other establishments around the public market.
The DTI with the Department of Energy, who chairs this year’s Consumer Welfare Month celebration, will schedule another inspection for the gasoline stations and LPG retailers.
DTI Trade and Industry Development Specialist Carla Noble said that the inspection was generally smooth and orderly and there was no major violations that were noted. She cited the vendors for being compliant with the Republic Act No. 7581 known as The Price Act.
The teams recommended for the improvement of consumer friendliness and cleanliness in the public markets./JDP/ RMC Kurt Lubos & Hannah Fabia- PIA CAR/UB Interns
