By Mae Singuay

The Bacolod City Enforcement Team of the City Legal Office (CLO) confiscated 10 weighing scales during a spot inspection in the city’s Central Market on Thursday, March 30.

CET head Rey Demisana said those weighing scales that were confiscated were uncalibrated.

An operation was conducted on all public markets in this city, particularly in three major markets — Libertad, Burgos and Central — to prevent unfair and deceptive sales acts and practices in the locality.

Demisana said they tapped the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) during the spot inspection.

Once it is calibrated by the CTO, the confiscated weighing scales will be returned to the owners and they have to pay for the calibration fees.

Under City Ordinance No. 565, the CTO is authorized to test, calibrate and seal weighing scales.

Part of the said ordinance said the weighing scales shall be tested and sealed annually.

Aside from the ordinance, the team’s operation is in line also with the implementation of the Republic Act (RA) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Under RA 7394, any person in violation of the law shall be subjected to a fine of not less than P500 or imprisonment of not less than one month, but not more than five years or both, at the discretion of the court.

Likewise, the owner-possessor or user of the instrument of weights, upon conviction, will be subjected to a fine of not less than P300 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.

Demisana said that last December 2022, they confiscated several weighing scales in Libertad and Burgos markets./MS, WDJ