BALANGA CITY -- About 154 defective weighing scales were recently destroyed by the Balanga City Government in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bataan Consumer Affairs Council.
The operation on the faulty weighing scales, which were confiscated from the public market, is aimed to protect the consumers rights.
DTI-Bataan OIC-Provincial Director Nelin Cabahug said the activity is a reminder to vendors and buyers of the rights and responsibilities of consumers under Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
The faulty scales were confiscated during saturation drives in the public market by the City Government for the past five years.
Rodolfo de Mesa, City Administrator and Chief of the City Economic Investment and Development Office, however clarified that scales were just defective.
"They were not confiscated due to fraudulent acts of the vendors," de Mesa said.
De Mesa said that vendors who will deceive consumers or will violate the city market code will face punishments and penalties.
“Violators shall pay a fine of P500 for the first offense, P1,500 for 2nd time and an imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year depending on the order of the Court and will be subjected to an Executive Order signed by the City Mayor closing the stall for the third offense,” de Mesa added. (PIA)