DTI padlocks warehouse in Valenzuela City allegedly storing P7.8-M unregistered products

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) foreclosed a warehouse in Valenzuela City for allegedly selling at least P7.8 million worth of unregistered products. 

According to Marisol Abdurahmann’s “24 Oras” report Friday, the DTI Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) operated on the warehouse last week after a consumer complained about a rice cooker that was bought online. However, authorities were surprised that the storage facility was housing at least P7.8 million worth of uncertified or unregistered home appliances. 

“Last June 26, nabigyan po natin sila ulit ng last warning para i-submit,” said BPLO Valenzuela Team Leader Frederick Olleres. 

(We issued a last warnings on June 26.)

“Hindi s’ya dumaan sa proper testing ng Bureau of Philippine Standard (BPS). Yung quality nila sub-standard. Paano kasi wala, hindi pa s’ya pumapasa sa product standard certification ng BPS,” he added. 

(The products did not undergo proper testing of the BPS. It means their quality is sub-standard as they did not pass any standard certification.)

The DTI-BPLO said the products were allegedly imported but the manager of the warehouse denied the allegations. 

“Kasi di po namin ma-claim kung inimport po ba nila 'yung products or na purchase po nila locally. Hinihingan namin sila ng proof kung talagang locally-purchased products nila," said Ollares. 

(We cannot claim if the products are imported or purchased locally. We are asking for proof.)

For his part, the manager of the storage facility said they were complying with the requirement of the DTI.

“Nagko-comply naman kami. Inaayos naman namin mga documents. Inaayos namin yun. As long as mapabilis,” the manager said. 

(We are complying with the requirements.)

The DTI-BPLO urged the public to report unregistered products as it warned against the danger of using and buying such appliances.  — Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News