The Department of Trade and Industry in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) is calling on the public to report suspected substandard construction materials to ensure all market products meet national safety and quality benchmarks.
Ralph Altiyen, chief of the DTI-CAR Consumer Protection Division, urged buyers and store owners alike to collaborate with the department whenever they question a product’s integrity or compliance.
“When in doubt, we encourage consumers and retailers to bring the issue to DTI so we can check,” said Altiyen. “We also appreciate that if there are new products being offered by suppliers, they can bring them to us so that we can check the standard.”
Altiyen emphasized that the agency’s surveillance extends beyond basic goods to critical building supplies like steel bars, which are vital for structural integrity.
“Aside from monitoring the price of construction supplies, we also monitor product standards, especially steel bars,” he said.
While initial assessments happen during routine field inspections, Altiyen noted that thorough quality verifications require specialized equipment.
“Those tests have to be done in a laboratory, which is unfortunately not possible when doing monitoring,” Altiyen said.
Non-compliant businesses face strict penalties, with product standard violations starting at ₱17,500, while Price Act infractions can reach up to ₱1 million.
Addressing recent market trends, Altiyen pointed out that building material costs spiked in March due to rising fuel expenses before tapering off in June—a trend mirrored nationwide. Price fluctuations are also driven by the regional dry season, which triggers a seasonal surge in building projects.
“This season is construction season. Summer is the boom period for construction activities, and the law of supply and demand affects construction supplies,” he said in Ilocano.
Because the DTI does not impose suggested retail prices (SRP) on hardware materials, Altiyen advised the public to canvas multiple suppliers to secure quality products and the best value for their money.