Industries federation want to intervene for gov’t in mandatory inspection of imported flat glass

The Federation of Philippine Industries Inc. (FPI) on Wednesday said it is now looking at intervening as third party on behalf of the government to re-implement mandatory inspection of all flat glass products in the country.

Importers of flat glass do not go through mandatory inspection following an injunction suspending the reinstatement of Department Administrative Order (DAO) 019-05 issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), FPI chairman Jesus Arranza said in a press conference.

“Tinatanong ko nga ang lawyer ko, mayroon ba akong interest to file a case as intervenor. I have the authority given by the board,” Arranza told reporters in a press conference in Makati City.

FPI counts as member Pioneer Float Glass Manufacturing Inc., the sole manufacturer of flat glass in the country. It produces 520 metric tons (MT) of flat glass daily.

Arranza said the local output caters to 40% to 45% of the national demand, while imported products accounts for 55% to 60. But imported glass sells 20% lower in the market.

The Makati Regional Trial Court issued on August 8 a writ of preliminary injunction stopping the implementation of DTI’s DAO 19-05, in response to cases filed by glass importers. It stopped the mandatory inspection of flat glass products in the country in favor of voluntary screening.

“The reason … for placing products under mandatory standard is if these are considered life threatening. Meaning, its producers are required to submit their products to mandatory testing and certification for compliance to prescribed safety standards, before these can be sold to the public,” Arranza noted.

“I cannot reconcile, why flat glass would not be life threatening, considering that many high rise buildings that dot the skyline of Metro Manila today are glass buildings,” he said.

Arranza said voluntary inspection would lead to the proliferation of substandard products in market, as there have been many cases even under the mandatory inspection regime.

“Mandatory standard na, ang dami nang nahuhuli. ‘Di lalo na kung voluntary,” Arranza said.

Through the Office of Solicitor General, the DTI has filed a memorandum for reconsideration on the suspension of DAO 019-05 to able reimpose mandatory inspection. —VDS, GMA News