Cellphone shops urged: Register or face closure

**silver_corolla** · May 12th, 2005 11:59 AM

Cellphone shops urged: Register or face closure
(Mindanao Times, Peter L. Magbanua)

Cellular phone repair shops to register with the office, or face closure and be penalized.

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)-Davao Region yesterday warned cellular phone repair shops to register with the office, or face closure and be penalized.

Speaking yesterday in the “Talk of the Town” forum at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, NTC-Davao Region Director Josue Go said that they will conduct investigation on cellular phone repair shops and retailers.

“To comply with our policies and for the protection of the consumers, we will be asking these establishments for business permits, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration and technician’s accreditation from Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority). If they fail to show any of our requirements, then they will be penalized,” Go said.

Penalty for establishments proven to have illegally purchased, sold, leased and retailed mobile phones and that without the approved NTC acceptance labels and illegal importations of mobile phone accessories, will be P5,000 per cellular phone.

Mobile phone dealers and repair shops without the valid NTC permit will have a penalty of P5,000 including the closure of the establishments.

“We are calling on these mobile phone repair shops and dealers to register with our office in order to avoid the hassles of paying the penalties and closure of their business. This is not only for the good of their business, but will also serve as protection to mobile phone users,” Go added.

On the other hand, Go lauded the resolution authored by Councilor Pilar Braga to regulate the purchase and sale, trade-in, pawning, repair, servicing and maintenance of brand new, used, pre-owned and reconditioned mobile phones.

“If I am not mistaken, Davao City is the first local government unit to have enacted this kind of a resolution and we are happy with this development because it will surely help us in putting into the bars of justice those who are doing illegal activities,” Go said.

Braga said the law is to regulate the purchasing and sale, trade-in, pawning, repair, servicing and maintenance of brand new, used, pre-owned and reconditioned mobile phones in the city and the transactions which are entered into by the customers and the dealers, service and repair shops of the mobile phones.

“It (resolution) will not limit regulations on dealers, repair shops and service centers of mobile phones but also pawnshops within the city. This will also enable the NTC to monitor and control the repair, servicing and maintenance of mobile phone units, parts and accessories in the interest and protection of the public,” Braga explained.

Braga also noted that NTC’s memorandum circulars do not cover the sale, trade-in or pawning of used, pre-owned or reconditioned mobile phones, particularly the rights of the buyers and customers.

She also noted that with the lack of laws, most mobile phone sales and service centers have become a thriving business in the city with the increased number of mobile phone snatched everyday.

She even said that speculations have it that most of the snatched mobile phones find their way into the service centers and pawnshops, making it difficult for the owners of the units to locate them.

“Consumers should be protected as mandated by the National Consumer’s Protection Law and it is also the city’s mandate to safeguard and protect the interests of the Davaoeños,” Braga said.

**baurtwellXUV** · May 12th, 2005 12:15 PM

i think maganda tong gnigawa nila...

**BlueBimmer** · May 12th, 2005 12:17 PM

at least mabawasan na mga bentahan ng stolen fons.
nice truck on ur sig btw hahaha

**1D4LV** · May 12th, 2005 12:17 PM

have to agree with this. for one, some of them are not tax mapped, they don't even issue receipts, second, walang habol ang consumer in case nasira yung phone mo if you have them repair your unit.