MAYOR Wes Gatchalian and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held a dialogue with market vendors to address and educate market violators on the importance of complying with the regulations governing weighing scales and measuring devices Wednesday morning in Valenzuela City.

Mayor Gatchalian, together with Councilor Ghogo Deato Lee, Committee Chairman on Market and Slaughterhouse, emphasized the significance that all market transactions are fair and transparent, benefiting both the consumers and vendors.

Councilor Lee stressed that violating the ordinance has consequences for non-compliance. The ordinance imposes fines ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱15,000 on vendors or establishments found using tampered or non-compliant weighing devices.

Meanwhile, DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau Mr. Joel Buag highlighted the policies and laws related to consumer protection and fair trade practices, specifically the Timbangan ng Bayan or the Republic Act 11706 authored by Mayor WES during his term as Congressman.

In his message, Mayor WES Gatchalian reminded the market vendors to observe and follow the said national law, “Ipinaglaban ko po iyan (Timbangan ng Bayan) hindi lang para sa Valenzuela kundi para sa buong Pilipinas…. Sana po, bilang dito po ako nanunungkulan at nakatira (sa Valenzuela) sana dito natin maging example na maganda sa Valenzuela.“

Some 74 non-compliant weighing scales were confiscated last March 17-18 from various markets in the City during Operation Timbangan conducted by the City Treasurer’s Office, LEDIPO, Consumer Welfare Unit. The owners may retrieve these weighing scales upon payment of the administrative penalty, recalibration of the weighing scales, and secure the seal.

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Edd Reyes