BACOLOD City – At least one standardized weighing scale must be placed in every market in the city to protect consumers from “deceptive and unfair” trade practices.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) last week approved a resolution urging village chiefs in Bacolod to see to it that a standardized weighing scale is present at every satellite market in their barangays.
Out of the 61 villages in this city, nine have satellite markets. These are Bata, Estefania, Granada, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Sum-ag, Montevista, Singcang-Airport, and 36.
Resolution proponent Councilor Bartolome Orola said under the Local Government Code of 1991, barangay officials have the responsibility to make sure that public facilities – like satellite markets – are efficient.
Once installed, Orola said the weighing scales must be under regular monitoring, citing Republic Act 7394, or The Consumer Act of the Philippines.
The weighing scales must be “tested, calibrated and sealed,” the law stated.
Orola said he received numerous reports of inaccurate weighing scales in Bacolod markets, prompting him to author the resolution.
“To encourage fair, honest and equitable relations among parties in consumer transactions and in order to protect the consuming public against deceptive and unfair sales acts or practices, there is a need to provide centralized weighing scales in markets,” Orola added./PN
