The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) confiscated PHP2,084,210 worth of substandard construction materials from 24 retailer firms on Tuesday, October 7, as part of its intensified drive to remove uncertified and unsafe products in the market.
A total of 10,369 pieces of steel products and plywood were confiscated for violating Republic Act No. 4109 or the Product Standards Law and Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines. The products lacked the required Philippine Standards (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks, while some steel items were allegedly sold below standard weight.
After the inspection, a Notice of Violation (NOV) was issued to four erring firms. They were given 48 hours upon receipt to respond with an explanation of their violation.
The DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) led the operations under the agency’s collaboration with the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) to strengthen monitoring and enforcement against violative trade practices.
“This is only the beginning of our collaborative efforts with the industry associations. In line with our agreement, these industries talk with and report to the DTI possible violative sale. In return, we, from the DTI-FTEB, act on these endorsements as the Department’s regulatory body,” said FTEB.
The partnership with FPI focuses on the regulation of key construction and industrial products such as steel bars, angle bars, cement, batteries, and wood, with enforcement concentrated in Metro Manila, Region III, and Region IV-A.
From January to August 2025, the DTI has already confiscated PHP6.3 million worth of substandard and uncertified construction materials and automotive batteries nationwide.
The agency said it will continue expanding its operations and partnerships to curb the proliferation of unsafe and non-compliant products across the country.
