‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ scales turned over in Dinagat Islands
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Dinagat Islands recently turned over units of calibrated weighing scales, known as “Timbangan ng Bayan,” to local government units in Dinagat Islands.
Through sponsorship from Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) for the purchase and donation of the weighing scale units, DTI Dinagat Islands, along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), strengthened consumer protection and fair trade practices in the local communities of the province.
With the theme, “Tamang Timbangan, Para Hindi Kulang” (Correct Scale, So It's Not Lacking), the towns of Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo and San Jose were identified as initial recipients, highlighting the project’s inclusive objective to benefit consumers living on islands and in far-flung areas.
In the turnover ceremony headed by DTI Provincial Director Elmer M. Natad, the local chief executives and their respective market administrators gladly received the “Timbangan ng Bayan.” They further accepted the responsibility of safeguarding the units and expressed their commitment to the project's sustainability.
“The ‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ is a direct response to Republic Act 11706, or the ‘Timbangan ng Bayan Law,’ which mandates the establishment of accessible weighing centers in public and private markets across the country, reinforcing the importance of accurate weights for fair transactions,” Director Natad said.
He added that the law seeks to provide consumers with readily accessible and accurate weighing scales in public markets, supermarkets and, when possible, in flea markets and grocery stores, ensuring consumers receive the correct weight for their purchases.
Also, RA 11706 covers prohibited acts, including fraudulently altering, tampering, vandalizing or destroying any scale, balance, “Timbangan ng Bayan” instrument, weight or measure after it is officially sealed.
Anyone guilty of prohibited acts may be fined not less than P50,000 but not more than P300,000, or be imprisoned for not less than one year but not more than five years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Meanwhile, the town of San Jose received its first unit of the “Timbangan ng Bayan” sometime in 2015 from DTI Dinagat Islands. Due to the length of time and numerous users, it became unserviceable, which called for replacement.
This challenge, experienced by almost all LGUs in the country, motivated DTI to collaborate with stakeholders and partners. In August 2024, a memorandum of understanding was signed between RCBC and DTI. Through this agreement, RCBC supplies the “Timbangan ng Bayan” units, while DTI manages their installation in public wet markets and works with the LGUs to ensure smooth integration and sustainability. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)
