DTI to Xmas shoppers: Check products well

By Lizel S. Macatangay

WHILE promos may captivate customers seeking to stretch their limited budgets, Junie Mora, chief of the Consumer Protection Division at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Camarines Sur, reiterated the importance of checking the expiration dates and labels.

This precaution ensures that products remain in good condition for the upcoming Noche Buena festivities.

“Look at the label and packaging kan binabakal ta. Mandatory na nasa label ang information about the products. Hilingon ta kung nuarin ang expiration dates baka by the time na gagamitin ta na by 24th or 31st of Dec., expired na sya. Dae ta na inisip yan ta inavail ta si bundles or discounts Examine the labels and packaging of what we are buying. Product information must be on the label. Let’s check when the expiration dates are. it might be expired by the time we use it on the 24th or 31st of December. We often overlook this because our focus is on availing bundles or discounts),” Mora added.

Noche Buena tips for wise buyers

Aside from checking on the expiration dates, Mora also advised that buyers take the time to canvass at least 3 stores before making a purchase. This allows customers to have a comparison or option which among the stores offer a quality product at a lower price.

Price tags, she said should also be checked as there are instances where they may be misplaced and meant for different products.

She encouraged customers to have a list of what to purchase before going out and check on alternative brands just in case their preferred trademark is not available. This will surely save time and effort as it will lessen the time to wander around the stores and recall the things that they need to purchase, she remarked.

“As early as October, DTI already started our monitoring. We know na pag dumating na ang “ber” months, naka display na lahat yan. We already released the seller’s guide para sa Noche Buena product prices. Iba po sya sa Suggested Retail Price or SRP,” Mora said during the Ugnayan sa PIA Camarines Sur program held Friday, Dec.1 at 105.5 Bicol Idol FM Naga.

Aside from food items, DTI also conducts monitoring and enforcement of Christmas lights and other electrical holiday decorations to ensure the safety of the consumers.

To ensure that the products they purchased adhered to and conformed with the quality standard. Buyers should look for the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality or safety mark and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).

Mora said that the DTI will be continuously monitoring these products and ready to answer queries from the customers if they need assistance.

Ugnayan sa PIA Camarines Sur is aired live over 105.5 Bicol IDOL FM Naga every Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. It is also cross-posted at the PIA Camarines Sur Facebook page. (PIA 5/Camarines Sur)