By Miriam Fe E. Jacinto
PAGADIAN CITY, Oct 19 (PIA) -- Vendors at the Pagadian City Public Market were surprised with the conduct of Operation Timbangan from ConsumerNet, a group of several government agencies whose thrust is to protect the interest of consumers at large.
Among the government agencies that joined the operation were the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Office of the Pagadian City Market Superintendent.
The activity is to highlight the observance of the Consumer Welfare Month in October with the theme “Get Organized. Be Heard. Be Empowered.”
Operation Timbangan at the Pagadian City Public Market aims to bring awareness to the consuming public that they should be vigilant against deceitful businessmen who manipulate weighing scales, particularly in the public markets and sell under-weighed products.
As a result of the Operation Timbangan, 48 defective weighing scales in the different sections, namely, 18 vegetable and fruit sections, nine fish section, 14 meat section and seven rice section were confiscated and the owners of said weighing scales will pay a fine imposed by the Office of the City Treasurer.
As provided by law, the regulation of the use of weights and measures (weighing scales) is under of the office of the city or municipal treasurer.
The Consumer Act of the Philippines (R.A. 7394) clearly provides that consumers are to be protected against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act and practices.
With the undertaking of the Operation Timbangan, it is the aim of the ConsumerNet to bring to public consciousness this provision of law. (JPA/MEJ/DTI9/PIA9/alt)