DTI Cagayan’s Mar Anthony Alan uses test weights to check the accuracy of the weighing scales of meat vendors in the Sanchez Mira Public Market.

July 12, 2019, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan – A surprise Operation Timbangan jointly conducted by LGU Sanchez Mira and DTI Cagayan resulted in the confiscation of six defective weighing scales from the wet market of Sanchez Mira. The team composed of officers from the Treasurer’s Office and Task Force Makabayan of DTI Cagayan’s Consumer Protection Division (CPD) visited a total of 33 stalls and 15 other business establishments to check their compliance to fair trade laws.

Based on Article 61 Chapter II of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, “the provincial, city or municipal treasurers shall strictly enforce the provisions of this chapter and its implementing rules and regulations.” Under the same article, the DTI is mandated to enforce the use of the metric system. The misrepresentation of the true weight and measure of goods sold is punishable by law under Articles 64 and 65 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

While in Sanchez Mira, the CPD team also monitored the 2 Timbangan ng Bayan donated by DTI in the Sanchez Mira Public Market and conducted a Business Education and Information Session for 38 market vendors and business establishment representatives.♦

Date of release: 13 August 2019