Senate OKs bill requiring ‘Timbangan ng Bayan Centers’ in markets
FILE PHOTO Soon market goers need not worry about rigged weighing scales with the implementation of the proposed Timbangan ng Bayan Centers. INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill institutionalizing “Timbangan ng Bayan Centers” in public and private markets.
With 23 affirmative votes, no negative votes and no abstention, senators passed Senate Bill No. 1241, which seeks to amend the Consumer Act of the Philippines to establish “Timbangan ng Bayan Centers.”
Under the bill, all provincial, city and municipal governments, through their respective treasurers, “shall establish accessible Timbangan ng Bayan Centers in all public and private markets, including malls, supermarkets, wet markets, dry markets, and when practicable, in flea markets or tiangges, specialty stores, and grocery stores, within their respective localities.”
These centers, according to the measure, should have “necessary weighing and measuring instruments.” These instruments shall be available to everyone who needs to “confirm the accuracy of the weight quantity or measurements of products purchased or about to be purchased.”
The House of Representatives approved its version of the bill in August 2018.
