DTI: Check for PS marks on firecrackers for sale

The Department of Trade and Industry, on Wednesday, advised the public to check for PS marks when buying firecrackers for the upcoming New Year's Eve celebration.

Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said the DTI was able to confiscate 1,543 firecrackers with illegal or unauthorized PS marks during their inspection at Bocaue, Bulacan last week.

“Hindi na po kasi na momonitor ng DTI sa presyuhan ng paputok pero maigting ang pagmonitor ng DTI doon sa pagbenta ng mga paputok kung meron silang karampatang PS mark," Nograles said.

"Kapag wala pong PS mark ang mga paputok, 'di pwede ibenta sa ating consumers dito,” she added.

(The DTI is no longer monitoring the prices of firecrackers but it is closely monitoring whether those being sold have the appropriate PS mark. Firecrackers that have no PS mark may not be sold to consumers.)

She also advised consumers to check the item’s PS mark, which should show a globe in its logo, and a license number. The items for sale have to be registered with the DTI.

 “Kasi po yung nahuli namin sa dti nung nakaraan, bagamat otorisado po yung manufacturer [at] may PS mark, yung modelo na binebenta niya wala sa listahan po ng DTI. Make sure na nandoon sa listahan nakapublish sa DTI website para sigurado tayo na safe po yung paputok,” Nograles said.

(There was an instance in which the manufacturer was authorized and had a PS mark but the item being sold was not in the DTI website. Make sure the product is in the DTI website so that we'd be sure it is safe.)

A seller’s PNP license or permit, which is usually found along with the mandatory business permits, will also help in confirming the legitimacy of a firecracker seller. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/NB, GMA Integrated News