The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has heightened its campaign against substandard construction materials.
The DTI is also poised to review penalties on violations of the Consumer Act for the sale of substandard products affecting the lives of consumers.
DTI assistant secretary Amanda Nograles in a press briefing said the agency is strictly monitoring the sale of cement, steel, wood, glass and the like as the country enters the peak of construction season.
This follows reports that some hardwares are openly offering substandard materials as a cheaper option to those which have been tested by the government.
Nograles said the DTI’s Task Force Kalasag has been tapped to confiscate substandard construction materials which do not have Philippine National Standards or Import Commodity Clearance marks.
“We need to change the default mindset of consumers who tend to favor cheaper options because this is an issue of safety,” Nograles said.
Under the Consumer Act, violators can face up to P300,000 in fine.
“It’s case by case, depending on the gravity of the offense. This is why we want to review the penalties to make them a deterrent to this practice,” Nograles said.
