DEFECTIVE WEIGHING SCALES. A staff of the Patnongon Municipal Treasurer's Office destroys the defective weighing scales confiscated during an inspection at the Patnongon Public Market on Thursday (October 17, 2019). This is part of the activities in line with the celebration of the Consumer's Welfare Month in Antique province this October. (Photo courtesy of DTI Antique)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- Four defective weighing scales were destroyed in the municipality of Patnongon, Antique on Thursday as part of the activities of the Consumer Welfare Month Celebration this October.
Department of Trade and Industry Antique provincial office information officer Lynna Joy Cardinal, in an interview Friday, said the ceremonial destruction of the weighing scales sends a strong message to the public that their welfare as consumers is being protected.
“The four weighing scales were confiscated during the market inspection of the DTI personnel, Negosyo Center staff and the local government unit (LGU) of Patnongon last October 16,” she said.
Of the 165 weighing scales inspected at the Patnongon Public Market, she said 11 were confiscated because they were not calibrated.
“Of the 11 weighing scales, there were four that were so old and were destroyed during the ceremonial destruction,” she said.
The owners of the seven other remaining weighing scales were penalized by the Patnongon LGU.
“The weighing scales are supposed to be checked by the Municipal Treasurer of the LGU every year, but there were some that were hidden by the retailers and so were not calibrated,” she said.
Cardinal also reminded consumers to have their goods bought in the market verified at the Timbangan ng Bayan's two weighing scales inside the market.
“For the consumers, they are also being reminded to have their goods weighed at the Timbangan ng Bayan,” she said.
As part of Consumer Welfare Month, DTI will also have a Diskwento Caravan on October 29-31 to provide discounts to consumers.
“We target to be able to encourage more than 12 establishments to participate in the Diskwento Caravan with them providing about five to 10 percent discounts depending on their store mechanics,” she said. (PNA)
