CEBU CITY, May 23 (PNA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu office is monitoring various establishments in the province for prices and safety of school materials in the market as the opening of classes nears.
The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) recently passed a resolution requesting the DTI and the Cebu Provincial Health Office to take measures to prevent the sale of school supplies containing potentially hazardous materials.
Cebu PB member Miguel Antonio Magpale said unscrupulous distributors might flood the market with school supplies that contained hazardous or toxic substances due to the expected increase of demand as the opening of classes approaches.
DTI-Cebu enjoined retailers to ensure that the school supplies they sell are non-toxic and have appropriate labels to guide consumers.
Zaide Bation, chief of the Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation Division of DTI – Cebu, said they sat down with the representatives of at least 18 school material retailers in Cebu last April 28.
The retailers were also told to follow the suggested retail price of school supplies.
“The retailers in return committed not to sell or display school supplies that has no non-toxic label on the crayon pack,” Bation said.
Bation said their office was tasked mainly to monitor the labels recommended by the Food and Drug Administration. (PNA)