P110M worth of counterfeit vehicle batteries destroyed

Numerous brands of substandard lead acid batteries amounting to P110.7 million were destroyed on Thursday.

The batteries were confiscated from various operations against retail establishments and big storage facilities within Metro Manila and nearby provinces over the previous months.

Among the noted violations of the batteries were the lack of mandatory Philippine Standard (PS) marks and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers, which violates Republic Act 4109 or the Product Standards Law.

Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero, assistant secretary and supervising head of the Fair Trade Group, said the batteries were seized in at least 10 to 20 operations conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“Usually, these batteries are sold for about 10 to 20% less than certified ones, which is why many people buy them because they’re cheaper. However, they are dangerous and could cause your vehicle to catch fire — posing risks to both your property and your safety,” Uvero added.

He added that the government has already collected up to P5 million in penalties following the filing of administrative charges.

The officials disclosed the possibility that the batteries recovered have been imported. However, they cannot disclose the originating countries, especially that there could be backdoor entrances and through the Bureau of Customs.

The batteries seized are usually used in different vehicles, including trucks, sedans, and motorcycles.

“It may catch fire, get damaged, or leak the dangerous chemicals inside the battery if it is not certified by the Bureau of Philippine Standards,” said Atty. Regino Mallari, director of the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, noting the potential risks when such batteries are used.

Additionally, the trade department has re-exported at least 19,500 non-compliant rubber inner tubes which are used as inner tubes for motorcycles.

“In line with President Marcos’ directive and the Bagong Pilipinas vision, our goal is not to shut down businesses, but to uplift those that follow the rules and invest in quality,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said.

Consumers are urged to always check the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers and Philippine Standard (PS) marks to guarantee that the products being purchased have passed the standards set.