THE city government of Bacolod has intensified its inspection and calibration of weighing scales in various public markets in the city.
Jose Ernie Carpintero, chief of the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO)-License Division, said Thursday, February 2, the inspection team was deployed in different public markets and they already finished the calibration and sealing of weighing scales in Libertad Public Market.
He said the inspection team earlier confiscated at least 11 defective or uncalibrated weighing scales in Libertad Public Market, adding that most of the units were confiscated from the fish section and they will continue the operation in Burgos Public Market and Central Public Market.
Carpintero noted that a “Timbangan ng Bayan” was also placed in three big public markets for the buying public to double check the weight of their purchased items like fish, meat, and rice, among other commodities.
Carpintero said the vendors should calibrate their weighing scales with the Revenue and Miscellaneous Services Section (RIMSS) with an expiration of six months.
Aside from the three big public markets, he said a random inspection was also conducted in various satellite markets in the barangays.
The confiscation of uncalibrated weighing scales is part of the city’s massive campaign for the implementation of City Ordinance No. 565, or the Revised Local Revenue Code of Bacolod.
Article 65 of the Consumers Act stated that any person who shall violate the provisions of paragraphs (a) to (f) and paragraph (I) of Article 64 or its implementing rules and regulations shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than P200, but not more than P1,000 or by imprisonment of not more than one year or both upon the discretion of the court.
Carpintero encouraged marketgoers to always check the weighing scales and if they have complaints, they can report it to the consumers’ welfare desk of the three major public markets.*