Hundreds of potentially dangerous consumer products were publicly destroyed in Occidental Mindoro province over the weekend, in line with the government’s ongoing drive against substandard imports.

The Philippine government has intensified campaign against substandard goods in recent years, particularly focusing on electrical products, construction materials, and children’s toys, which pose the highest safety risks when manufactured improperly.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) led the destruction ceremony at San Jose Municipal Plaza, disposing of items valued at P341,045 that failed to meet national safety standards.

“These products pose health and safety risks to consumers,” said Noel Flores, DTI Provincial Director for Occidental Mindoro, in a news report.

“Without proper certification, we cannot guarantee their safety in Filipino homes,” he added.

The destroyed items included portable electric fans that officials warned could cause fires and galvanized iron (GI) wires commonly used in construction projects throughout the country.

The country maintains a strict product certification system where items must display either the Philippine Standard (PS) mark for locally manufactured goods or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker for imported products.

“These markings are your guarantee of quality and safety,” Flores told onlookers at the destruction ceremony. “Always check for these certifications when making purchases.”

The certification system, overseen by the Bureau of Philippine Standards, is intended to protect consumers in a market where counterfeit and substandard goods remain prevalent despite enforcement measures.

Before destroying the items, DTI officials obtained clearances from multiple government agencies, including the Commission on Audit (COA), which verifies all items slated for disposal to ensure transparency.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also provided guidance on the proper disposal of potentially harmful items such as uncertified car batteries, which contain toxic materials that require special handling.

Flores addressed public concerns about the fate of confiscated goods, saying: “There are rumors that DTI employees take these products home or resell them. This is categorically false. Every single item is accounted for and properly destroyed under COA supervision.”

The provincial director noted a positive trend in Occidental Mindoro, reporting increased compliance among local businesses and a corresponding decrease in confiscated products over recent months.

Photo: courtesy of DTI Occidental Mindoro