CEBU, Philippines - The Market Operations Division of the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office yesterday destroyed 252 defective and dilapidated weighing scales it seized from the different markets in Cebu City last year.
Market Administrator Raquel Arce said the seizure of the weighing scales was done to protect consumers from manipulated prices of goods. Some of the weighing scales reportedly added up to 30 percent more to the regular amount.
“These are either very old, kulang sa timbang, some without lenses, and some do not bear the sticker of inspection,” Arce said.
Most of the scales were confiscated from ambulant vendors and were of low quality, Arce said.
Confiscation of the weighing scale is the only sanction the city can impose on ambulant vendors but legitimate stall owners in the markets may be fined- three months worth of their rental for the first offense; five months worth of rental for the second offense, and revocation of business permit for the third offense.
Arce said they would be proposing amendment to the city’s tax ordinance such that those engaged in the rental of weighing scales in the markets would also be required to register their business.
“It is also a good thing since we will be able to regulate them, make sure they only rent out quality and fair weighing scales,” Arce said. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)