DTI-NCotabato steps ups drive vs substandard Christmas lights

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in North Cotabato has stepped up its campaign against low quality Christmas lights in various public markets and shops in the province. DTI-North Cotabato provincial director Anthony Bravo has directed the local price monitoring body all over the province to check all business establishments and confiscate all substandard Christmas lights that would be found in shops and stores. Bravo said some constituents continue to buy low quality Christmas lights because these decors are cheaper compared to products recommended and approved by DTI. But Bravo said that patronizing substandard Christmas lights is dangerous to lives and property. The DTI provincial director said that many cases of fire that occurred during the yuletide season in previous years were caused by defective light decorations. “To ensure the safety of our propert[y] and loved ones we must not support [these] products," Bravo recommended. Bravo also advised the public to be meticulous in choosing Christmas lights. He said they should always look for the quality seal to ensure that these products passed the DTI’s safety standard tests. “Quality seal is very important. This will certify that the product being sold out in the market is DTI approved," Bravo said. He also encouraged constituents to report shops selling defective Christmas lights to their respective local price monitoring body. Bravo assured tipsters of immediate action and full protection once the complaints were validated. “Let us all cooperate in this endeavor. Let us not allow cheaper yet fake products to proliferate in our respective public market," Bravo said. Sacks and boxes of defective Christmas lights worth P50,000 are in the custody of the DTI-North Cotabato. Bravo said these items were confiscated in previous operations conducted on various business establishments in the province. He said that some shops in Kidapawan City were already given warning against selling defecting Christmas lights. - Williamor A. Magbanua