REVILLA WARNS AGAINST CHRISTMAS BARGAINS

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. today called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to intensify its efforts against sub-standard products that may be sold as Christmas bargains in sidewalks and malls nationwide.

According to the senator, it is not sufficient for the DTI to merely instruct the public not to patronize products that do not bear the Philippine Standard (PS) or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks.

The PS and ICC marks are stamped on critical products such as Christmas lights, home appliances, LPG cylinders, electrical and electronic devices, wires and cables, fire extinguishers, safety matches and lighters to make it easier for the buying public to distinguish safe and reliable goods from inferior and defective ones.

"There are already many Christmas shoppers. The DTI should work double-time on launching successive raids on warehouses, malls and local markets which are found to store and sell sub-standard products that may cause hazards to health and properties," Revilla stressed." They should take these products out of the market."

He also urged the DTI, through its Bureau of Products Standards (BPS), to intensify its information campaign to warn consumers against patronizing sub-standard products.

"Buying products that last long are good investments. A dissemination campaign against sub-standard products will remind the public that smart-buying means primarily considering quality," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.

Revilla advised consumers to be meticulous not only in the price but also in the quality of the products that they will buy during the Christmas season.

It could be recalled that substandard Christmas lights, which are prone to overheating and short-circuiting, had been blamed for past fires during the Yuletide season.

"Whether shopping for products for personal use or to give as gifts, consumers must see to it that the products they buy met the quality standards imposed by the government. They might save money on buying cheaper-priced products, but in the process risk their safety and health," Revilla said.

Aside from electrical and electronic products, the lawmaker also warned against toys that may be hazardous to health, particularly those highly tainted with lead.

Revilla expressed concern that China-made toys recently recalled due to high lead content might find its way to the market this Christmas season, luring the buying public with its cheaper price.

"Consumers must exercise prudence. Price cut-off on toys might be a health rip-off to their kids," he pointed out.

Health experts said short-term exposure to high levels of lead can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma or even death. Even small amounts of lead can be harmful, especially to infants, young children and pregnant women.

Symptoms of long-term exposure to lower lead levels may be less noticeable but are still serious. Anemia is common and damage to the nervous system may cause impaired mental function. Other symptoms include appetite loss, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability and headache. Continued excessive exposure can affect the kidneys.