MANILA, (PIA) — The Valenzuela City Government, led by Mayor Wes Gatchalian, together with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials conducted Operation Timbangan at Karuhatan Market that resulted in the confiscation and destruction of 130 non-compliant weighing scales from various markets across the city.
Reinforcing the government’s commitment to consumer rights and market integrity, this initiative is based on national and local laws governing the use of weighing devices in public markets.
Republic Act No. 11706, known as the “Timbangan ng Bayan Act,” requires the establishment of Timbangan ng Bayan Centers to allow consumers to verify weighing instruments.
Violators of this law face penalties ranging from P50,000 to P300,000, imprisonment for one to five years, or both.
Repeat offenders risk having their business permits revoked.
Locally, the operation enforces Ordinance No. 903, Series of 2021, the New Market Code of Valenzuela City, which imposes fines of P5,000 to P15,000 on vendors using tampered or non-compliant scales.
This underscores Valenzuela City’s proactive efforts to protect consumer welfare and promote fair trading practices.
Mayor Gatchalian emphasized the importance of honest trade, stating, “Hindi po rason ang pagmahal ng bilihin, dahil lahat naman po tayo ay naghahanap-buhay. Importante po na tayo ay tapat sa ating gawain.” (Illegal price increase is not an excuse, because we are all just working for a living. What’s important is that we work truthfully.)
The operation featured a collaborative effort among city officials, including DTI-FTEB Director Atty. Regino Mallari, Committee on Market and Slaughterhouse Chairman Councilor Ghogo Deato Lee, and LEDIPO Head Ms. Janina Bautista.
In addition to destroying the confiscated scales responsibly, the event educated market vendors on proper use and maintenance of compliant weighing devices.
Consumers were also informed about their rights and the city’s ongoing consumer protection efforts.
By ensuring accurate and compliant transactions in Valenzuela City markets, the local government strengthens market integrity and consumer trust.
Initiatives like Operation Timbangan position Valenzuela City at the forefront of consumer protection and good governance. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
(Photos courtesy: Valenzuela PIO)
