Rachelle M. Nessia
CEBU CITY, July 22 (PIA) --- In
the name of consumer protection, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
launched its "Timbangan ng Bayan" project at the Carbon Market
on July 15, 2015.
The installation of timbangan (weighing
scales) with corresponding housing (cage) in public markets is in accordance to
R.A. 7394 or the “Consumer Act of the Philippines”, which protects the
interests of the consumer, promote general welfare, and to establish
standards of conduct for business and industry.
“The goal of the Timbangan ng Bayan Project is to ensure that consumers are protected from deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices and that they can readily check the accuracy of the weight and quantity of goods they bought in public markets," said DTI Cebu Provincial Director Nelia Navarro.
Cebu Province was allotted 193 units of calibrated weighing scales and steel cage housing which are distributed to the public markets of its 9 cities and 44 municipalities.
Of the 193 units, 19 scales are distributed to Cebu City, while six are already installed at the Carbon Market and others at the different satellite markets namely: Lahug Satellite Public Market (3), T. Padilla Market (2), Labangon Public Market (2), Pardo Public Market (2), Taboan Public Market (2) and Ramos Public Market (2).
A signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DTI Cebu and local government units will be done after the distribution.
The recipient-market is advised to provide measures to protect the Timbangan ng Bayan facility from theft, misuse or abuse.
These should also be used
exclusively by consumers and should be regularly calibrated and maintained
to ensure the accuracy of the timbangan. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu/DTI Press
Release)