The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recorded major gains in business processing and consumer protection this year as its expanded digital platforms handled more permits, complaints, and marketplace inspections, according to new data from the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB).
The FTEB said DTI’s upgraded online systems and automated workflows allowed the agency to surpass its 2024 performance across key enforcement and regulatory functions.
One of the biggest contributors is the nationwide rollout of the Integrated Registration Information System (IRegIS), which processed 39,997 permits and licenses — a 9% increase from last year.
The system enables businesses to file applications online, shortening processing times and reducing the need for in-person transactions.
Consumer complaints are now being resolved more quickly through the Consumer Complaints Assistance and Resolution System (CAReS), DTI’s digital portal for lodging and tracking cases.
The Mediation Division resolved 33,725 complaints this year with no pending backlog, covering issues such as defective goods, online purchases, and e-commerce disputes.
Monitoring of digital marketplaces also intensified. DTI’s Online Monitoring Units screened 204,255 product listings to detect unsafe or noncompliant items.
Takedown requests rose by 43% from 2024, covering an estimated ₱378.2 billion worth of flagged products.
Physical market inspections saw similar gains. From January to October, DTI conducted 7,558 monitoring activities — up 31% from last year. While the agency confiscated 541,235 substandard products valued at ₱130.8 million, it noted that the declining value of seized goods indicates improving compliance among retailers and manufacturers.
