57 illegal weights seized

ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Special Services Unit (SSU) confiscated a total of 57 illegal weighing scales from vendors in five public markets recently.

These included 11 units from the Iloilo Central Market, 24 units from the Jaro Big Market, and 22 units from the La Paz Public Market, and flea markets in barangays Baldoza and La Granja, also in La Paz district.

Most of the weights were seized for lack of official seal, while others either have broken or defective seals, thus shortchanging customers.

City Ordinance No. 399 penalizes vendors caught using defective weights with fines from P200 to P1,000.

They should also pay fees for calibration and official sealing of their weighing devices.

“The official seal is necessary to prove that the weighing scale has been inspected and passed the standards of SSU and the City Treasurer’s Office,” said SSU chief Zellah Gil.

The SSU is intensifying its campaign against illegal weighing devices to protect the buying public.

Gil also requested from Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog additional space at the city’s motorpool to serve as holding area for the huge number of confiscated weighing scales before these are redeemed by their owners.

Vendors have been advised to always observe proper trade practices to avoid seizure./PN