“We’ll not be announcing the exact date”: DTI-Kalinga expands surprise checks to talipapa markets

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Kalinga is expanding its product-safety monitoring to talipapa markets across Tabuk City, including surprise inspections aimed at catching establishments selling products that do not meet safety and quality standards.

DTI-Kalinga representative Victor Benganio announced the expanded monitoring during the Inter-Agency Flag-Raising Ceremony at the Kalinga Sports Center on October 5 as part of the province’s observance of Consumer Welfare Month.

The inspections will cover electrical products, household appliances and selected construction materials, with enforcement teams checking establishments for compliance with applicable product standards.

Some of the operations will be conducted without prior notice to allow inspectors to observe actual market conditions.

“We’ll not be announcing the exact date because this is a surprise surveillance and enforcement activity,” Benganio said.

He said the expanded monitoring will include smaller community markets that have received less attention in previous years despite their continued growth and the number of consumers they serve.

“But for this year, we will be covering Talipapa markets because in the past years we have neglected Talipapa markets, considering that umad-adon ti Talipapa markets. So we have to monitor and check on their operations likewise,” he said.

The identified areas include talipapa markets in Bulanao Centro, Bulanao Norte and Calanan, as well as areas in Dagupan and Magsaysay. DTI-Kalinga will also inspect the XRC Market in Bulanao Centro.

The agency said the expanded coverage is intended to extend consumer protection beyond major public markets and established trading centers to smaller community markets where residents regularly buy everyday goods.

Under the DTI product standards system, covered products must comply with applicable Philippine National Standards. Products subject to mandatory certification may be required to carry the Philippine Standard (PS) Mark or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker before they can be distributed in the Philippine market.

The DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards identifies electrical and electronic products, mechanical and construction materials, and chemical and other consumer products among the groups covered by mandatory product certification schemes.

DTI's Product Standards Monitoring Division conducts market surveillance to check compliance with technical regulations and protect consumers from unreasonable risks associated with consumer products.

Consumers urged to check before buying

DTI-Kalinga also urged consumers to take an active role in protecting themselves by checking product labels, comparing prices and examining products for quality and safety before making purchases.

Consumers are also advised to keep receipts and other proof of purchase, which may be needed when seeking remedies for defective products or services that fail to meet what was promised.

For products covered by mandatory certification, consumers are encouraged to check for the appropriate PS Mark or ICC sticker.

The monitoring activities form part of Kalinga’s observance of Consumer Welfare Month, anchored on the theme “Safe Products, Confident Consumers.”

Through surprise surveillance, product standards enforcement and consumer education, DTI-Kalinga aims to improve compliance among businesses while helping consumers make safer and more informed purchasing decisions.