CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the City Markets (OCM) has confiscated 21weighing scales that were found either defective or rigged during a two-day operation in Carbon Public Market.
Robert Barquilla, Cebu City market chief, said the Operation Timbangan is a continuous campaign to protect consumers from unscrupulous traders using faulty weighing scales. From January until May, the OCM already confiscated more than 40 defective weighing scales from different public markets in the city.
According to Barquilla, some of the weighing scales are already old while others were manipulated. Those who are found using faulty weighing scales are made to pay P500 fine aside from confiscating their weighing scales. Stiffer penalties are imposed against registered vendors as provided for under the market code.
OCM records show that at least 223 vendors were penalized last year for using defective or faulty weighing scales. Most of them were ambulant vendors and without permits to sell.
Barquilla said all confiscated weighing scales from last year and this year are set to be destroyed on August 19. The OCM has urged the public to be vigilant and report any defective weighing scales.
Consumers are also encouraged to verify the weight of the products they bought using the Timbangan ng Bayan that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has provided in different markets. FPL (CEBU NEWS)