CTO strengthens info drive on calibration and sealing of weighing scales in markets

The City Treasurer’s Office on Tuesday conducted the first leg of the information dissemination for the calibration of weighing scales in public markets.

Acting City Treasurer Atty. Lawrence D. Bantiding, in an interview with the City Information Office, said that they invited the vendors through the City Economic Enterprises (CEE) and the Pag-Asa Bankerohan Fish Vendors Association, Inc. to ensure that they will be aware of the fines and penalties should they violate the provisions for weights and measures under the Davao City Tax Code.

“Tanang mga provision sa weights and measures ang penalty is that it involves imprisonment so that is the last thing unta nga among gusto buhaton that is why we have this orientation nga dili namo gusto nga naay mga timbangan nga dili mao or naay kalapasan sa atong ordinansa (All of the provisions of the weights and measure have penalties that involve imprisonment so that is the last thing we want to implement, that is why we are conducting this orientation because we do not want those who have scales to commit a violation of our ordinance)” Bantiding said.

The orientation was held in Barangay 5-A, Bankerohan Barangay Gym and gathered not only fish vendors but pork vendors and vegetable vendors for the first batch as well. The orientation was held in two batches to cater to those who were not able to attend the first batch.

During the orientation, it was emphasized that all instruments for determining weights and measures used in consumer-related transactions must be tested and sealed every three months by the City Treasure or his duly authorized representative upon payment of fees.

“Ang validity sa atoang pagreseal ug recalibrate sa atong mga timbangan three months lang. Ang rationale pud ana is we have to ensure nga always tama ang timbang sa atong timbangan (The validity of our sealing of and recalibration of the weighs and measures is only for three months. The rationale for that is we have to ensure that the measurement is correct),” Bantiding said.

During the orientation, the vendors were also given input on fraudulent acts, as provided under the 2017 Revenue Code of the City of Davao, which will warrant the filing of a case in court.

The penalty is a minimum of Php 500 and a maximum of Php 5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months or both.
Bantiding said that they plan to conduct orientation for vendors in big public markets in Davao City such as Agdao Public Market, Calinan, Toril and private markets located in Matina and Piapi.

“Sunod sunod na ni.. responsibiladad sa among opisina nga proteksyunan ang atong consumante (The other orientations would soon follow.. It is the responsibility of the office to protect our consumers),” Bantiding said, adding that after the orientation staff from the CTO also conducted sealing and recalibrating making the said activity a one-stop-shop service for weighs and scales.

Bantiding reiterated that vendors need to follow the ordinance and see to it that they give the right weight of goods to their clients.

He added that for clients, a “Timbangan ng Bayan” is installed in the public markets within the city so that they may compare the weight of the goods they bought with that of the weighing of scales of vendors. He also said that they already coordinated with CEE for the installation of “Timbangan ng Bayan” in private markets. CIO