DTI officials and workers gather around confiscated automotive batteries during the ceremonial destruction event held at a waste disposal facility in Valenzuela City. The activity, led by the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, highlights the agency’s commitment to consumer protection and product safety enforcement.

Valenzuela City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) led the ceremonial destruction of Php110,737,674.00 worth of violative lead-acid storage batteries at a waste disposal facility in Valenzuela City on June 13, reinforcing its commitment to consumer protection and product safety enforcement.

A total of 21,403 lead-acid storage batteries were formally ordered for disposal by the DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) for lacking mandatory Philippine Standard (PS) marks and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers—certification labels that guarantee product quality and consumer safety. This action was carried out in accordance with Republic Act No. 4109, or the Product Standards Law.

Most of the destroyed items were confiscated during a joint enforcement operation with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last September 2024, which also led to the closure of the violative warehouse.

Workers in protective gear handle and organize stacks of confiscated automotive batteries labeled "KANJI" at a waste disposal facility in Valenzuela City. The activity is part of DTI’s ceremonial destruction of Php 110.7M worth of uncertified lead-acid batteries to ensure consumer safety and environmental compliance.

Fair Trade Group (FTG) Supervising Head Assistant Secretary Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero emphasized that substandard automotive batteries pose serious hazards, including chemical spills, fires, and long-term environmental damage.

“These products undergo mandatory certification for a reason—they are inherently hazardous. Through this ceremonial destruction, we are not only removing uncertified products from the market to ensure consumer safety, but also guaranteeing that the disposal of these items is conducted properly, in an environmentally responsible manner,” Uvero said.

The disposal process was conducted by environmental experts from Trame Oil & Environmental Specialist Inc., supported by trained waste workers from Quezon City Public Employment Service Office (QC-PESO). The procedure highlighted the importance of proper toxic material handling while maximizing the recovery of reusable and recyclable components. The event was attended by key DTI officials, including FTG Assistant Secretary Uvero, FTEB Director Region D. Mallari Jr., FTEB OIC Assistant Director Ricci H. Torio, and representatives from DTI’s Human Resource and Administrative Services (HRAS) and Communications and Information Services (CIS). Partner agencies such as the NBI, Commission on Audit (COA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Valenzuela City and Quezon City Local Government Offices also expressed their support.

DTI officials and partner agency representatives stand in front of confiscated automotive batteries and electronic devices during the ceremonial destruction event at a wastewater treatment facility in Valenzuela City. The initiative reinforces the agency’s commitment to consumer protection and proper disposal of hazardous products.

Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau Director Mallari highlighted that the destruction serves as a reminder for businesses to comply with product certification requirements.

“This event demonstrates our commitment to supporting legitimate businesses and maintaining a fair market. It reinforces the importance of accountability in following our product standardization and testing procedures,” Mallari said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) and the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), continues to monitor product safety and enforce fair trade laws, particularly for 109 regulated products and systems under its Mandatory Product Certification Schemes.

The DTI encourages the public to report retailers, distributors, or manufacturers selling uncertified or non-compliant products through DTI Consumer Care Hotline (1-384) or email to consumercare@dti.gov.ph. END.

(Posted 16 June 2025)