Oplan Timbangan ramped up

The city government ramped up operations against uncalibrated weighing scales at the city market starting last June 24, 2023 which prompted compliance to the six-month calibration policy by the market entrepreneurs.

Market Superintendent Ceasar Emilio of the City Market Division of the City Treasury Office which spearheaded the crackdown with the Public Order and Safety Division under Head Enforcer Daryll Longid said the number of calibrated weighing scales increased to 872 from June to July 4 because of the campaign.

Emilio said a total of 37 defective scales were also confiscated during the operations while a number of notices of violations were issued to those who violated the six-month calibration policy.

Longid said the operation was hatched in response to numerous complaints from consumers on underweight produce being sold to them particularly from the fish section of Block 3 Hilltop Market.

“The inspection team found that several of the scales were not calibrated properly, resulting in shortchanging of customers.  The team issued citations to the vendors who were using the faulty scales and the scales were put out of service until they were properly calibrated at the Market Office,” he said.

The next day, follow-up operations were conducted along 1st and 2nd Kayang St. following persistent public complaints.

“Said operation netted some 30 weighing scales that were found to be inaccurate, possibly tampered, or uncalibrated,” the POSD said.

“The POSD and CMD are committed to ensuring that customers at our City Market are getting the full amount of product they pay for. The inspection team will continue to monitor the weighing scales at the market to ensure that they are properly calibrated,” Emilio and Longid said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo