Cebu City market vendors face up to 3 months’ rental penalty for faulty weighing scales

The penalty for registered market vendors in Cebu City, caught using a faulty weighing scale, will be up to three months’ worth of rental fees.| Gerard Francisco

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Up to three months’ worth of rental fees will be the penalty for registered market vendors in Cebu City who are caught using a faulty weighing scale.

This comes after the Office of the City Markets (OCM) apprehended at least 223 market vendors from January to December last year.

In an interview during the “Kumusta Ka’ Sugbo” via the Sugboanon Channel, John Paul Amores, public information officer of OCM, noted that the majority of violators caught last year were “ambulant” vendors.

“Kasagaran sa mga nasakpan nga naggamit og tikasan nga timbangan kay mga ambulant vendors nga nag-operate sa gawas ug walay mga permit,” Amores said.

Amores reiterated that ambulant vendors face a P500 fine and confiscation of weighing scales, with potential prohibition from further operations based on the violation’s severity.

READ: QC cracks down on market vendors for overpricing, fraudulent weighing scales

Amores explained that OCM took action by confiscating inaccurate weighing scales following numerous complaints from marketgoers who alleged unfair practices by certain vendors in both the city’s primary and satellite markets.

Under the scope of OCM are the management responsibilities for Carbon Market Units 1, 2, and 3, Freedom Park, Warwick Barracks, Pasil Fish Market, as well as the public markets located in Cogon Ramos, Poblacion Pardo, Taboan, and T. Padilla.

Moreover, Amores highlighted that in the previous year, OCM intensified its monitoring efforts, particularly focusing on the wet market section of the Carbon Market.

He emphasized that OCM takes swift action by confiscating malfunctioning weighing scales to ensure accuracy in measurements.

Amores further explained that confiscated defective weighing scales will be subject to destruction as per established procedures.

READ: Cebu City gov’t goes after ‘spoiled meat’ vendors

With this, Amores encourages marketgoers to consistently verify the weight of their purchases using the “Timbangan ng Bayan” available at all markets.

He highlighted the Department of Trade and Industry’s initiative to install independent weighing scales across markets, providing consumers with an additional means to confirm their transactions.

In case of concerns, Amores urged marketgoers to approach the Office of the City Market’s complaints desk. Individuals with complaints can also submit them through OCM’s Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Amores advised vendors to prioritize honesty with their customers to avoid potential issues. /clorenciana