SEC. 2. Powers and Functions of the Secretary of Trade. To develop, maintain and implement a progressive program of accreditation of all service and repair enterprises and technical personnel referred to herein, the Secretary of Trade shall have the following powers and functions:
To undertake researches on the conditions, practices and facilities affecting the operation of enterprises engaged in the service and repair of motor vehicles, heavy equipment, engines and engineering works; electronics, electrical, airconditioning and refrigeration; office equipment; medical and dental equipment; and other consumer mechanical and industrial electro-mechanical, chemical, gaseous equipment, appliances or devices in the country;
To establish, promote, maintain and enforce ethical, moral and professional standards in the operation and practice of such service and repair enterprises;
To undertake researches and prescribe the basic essential requirements of setting-up, including the management and operation, of such enterprises and accredit those which have complied with such requirements;
To establish measures as may be deemed proper for the advancement of professionalism and consumerism in such service and repair enterprises;
To investigate violations of this Decree and its implementing rules and for this purpose issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure attendance of witnesses and the production of documents in connection with charges presented to and/or any investigation pending with the Department of Trade and to impose penalties, sanctions and such other appropriate measures;
To collect filing fees and accreditation fees from such service and repair enterprises, and fees for the commercial practice of technicians classified according to the National Manpower and Youth Council classifications as follows:
Filing fee of Fifty (P50.00) Pesos;
Accreditation fee of not less than One Hundred (P100.00) Pesos but not more than five Hundred (P500.00) Pesos depending on the classification of the enterprise;
For technicians not covered by the Professional Regulation Commission: 1st Class—P50.00
2nd Class—P35.00
3rd Class—P20.00
These rates are subject to change depending on the conditions and practices obtaining at a given point of time in the service and repair business.
To utilize and disburse a portion not to exceed fifty per cent (50%) of the total income derived from the implementation of this Decree, for the maintenance and improvement of facilities, services, organization, equipment outlay and other resources of the Accreditation Boards under the Office of the Secretary of Trade in carrying out the accreditation program;
An additional amount not exceeding ten per cent (10%) of the total income shall constitute a special fund for discretionary use of the Secretary of Trade in the implementation of this Decree;
To create other accreditation boards, national or regional in scope, for other consumer and/or industrial, electro-mechanical, chemical, gaseous equipment and machinery, appliances or devices and to recommend to the President of the Philippines the dissolution of such boards including the other boards created herein when their services are deemed no longer necessary;
To create appropriate positions exempt from WAPCO and to appoint the personnel required to fill such positions for the effective implementation, maintenance and attainment and observance of the objectives, aims of this Decree and the implementing rules and regulations, programs and policies;
To delegate any or part of his power to any official when the exigencies of the service require to attain the aims and objectives of this Decree; and
To lay down policies and issue rules and regulations and programs of actions for the implementation or compliance with this Decree.
