Duterte signs law creating ‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ centers

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has signed Republic Act 11706, which institutionalizes the establishment of “Timbangan ng Bayan” centers in public and private markets to help consumers check their purchases.

RA 11706 was signed by Duterte on April 13, but the copy of the law was released only yesterday by Malacañang.

The law amended Chapter II, Title III of Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act.

The new law mandates provincial, city and municipal governments to install weighing scales in private and public markets, including supermarkets, flea markets or tiangge and grocery stores, to allow consumers to check their purchases and ensure that they get what they pay for.

The law mandates the market supervisor to maintain a record of every product found to be substandard and lacking in quantity.

The law also penalizes the act of fraudulently altering, tampering with, vandalizing or destroying the Timbangan ng Bayan after it is officially sealed.

Violators will face fines ranging from P50,000 to P300,000.

Two successive violations of Article 64 of the law will automatically result in the cancelation of the business permit of the establishment.