THE Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Group (CPG) announced on Friday it will be intensifying quality inspection of construction materials in the last quarter of the year, in anticipation of the pickup in construction activity in 2015.
Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba, undersecretary for the CPG, told reporters in a recent news briefing that the group would be reinforcing inspection of construction materials, especially galvanized-iron (GI) sheets and steel bars,in the following months.
We plan to intensify our monitoring beginning next week, Dimagiba said, saying the strong construction activities next year is expected to be in the housing sector.
Construction in housing, whether first class, medium class, or mass housing, is expected to really pick up, he added. The trade undersecretary added the group will be zeroing in on the quality of steel bars and the GI sheets as prices have remained stable due to increased importation.
Dimagiba reported that prices for 40-kilogram bags have gone down by at least P10 due to tight market competition. The CPG earlier in the year seized from retailers across various cities in Metro Manila uncertified and substandard steel bars, angle bars, and ceramic tiles worth almost P0.7 million.
Retailers can, likewise, expect the CPG to keep a closer watch on holiday items such as Noche Buena food covered by the suggested retail price scheme and Christmas lights and accessories, as the CPG is planning a special monitoring session on the said items in November.
Dimagiba said the team will be confiscating Christmas lights without the Import Commodity Clearance sticker and issue notices of violation to sellers. Those found selling Noche Buena above the SRPs scheme will be given show cause orders.
Catherine N. Pillas