Strengthening its commitment to consumer rights and market integrity, the Valenzuela City Government, under the leadership of Mayor WES Gatchalian, conducted Operation Timbangan, January 15, 2025 at Karuhatan Market. The operation led to the confiscation and destruction of 130 non-conforming weighing scales collected from various markets across the city, underscoring the administration’s dedication to promoting fairness in trade.

The initiative is anchored on national and local laws regulating the use of weighing devices in public markets. Republic Act No. 11706, or the "Timbangan ng Bayan Act," mandates the establishment of Timbangan ng Bayan Centers in public and private markets to provide consumers with a means of verifying weighing instruments. Violators of this law may face penalties ranging from PhP50,000 to PhP300,000, imprisonment of one to five years, or both. Repeat violations could result in the cancellation of business permits, ensuring strict accountability.

Locally, the operation enforces Ordinance No. 903, Series of 2021, also known as the New Market Code of Valenzuela City. The ordinance imposes fines ranging from PhP5,000 to PhP15,000 on vendors or establishments found using tampered or non-compliant weighing devices. This highlights Valenzuela City’s proactive measures in safeguarding consumer welfare and upholding fair business practices.

Mayor WES Gatchalian emphasized the importance of fair and honest trade practice saying “Hindi po rason ang pagmahal ng bilihin, dahil lahat naman po tayo ay naghahanap-buhay, importante po na tayo ay tapat sa ating gawain.  Dito po sa Valenzuela, ang pinaiiral natin ay disiplina, ayaw po nating pinagsasamantalahan ang ating mga consumer. Dapat po natin silang protektahan, bilang bahagi ng ating misyon na pagandahan ang ating environment dito sa lungsod." [Price increase is not an excuse, because we are all just working for a living, what’s important is that we work truthfully. Here in Valenzuela, we are disciplined, and we don’t want our consumers to be fooled. We must protect them as part of our mission to create a better environment here in the city.]

The activity was led by Mayor WES, DTI-FTEB Director Atty. Regino Mallari, Committee on Market and Slaughterhouse Chairman Councilor Ghogo Deato Lee, LEDIPO Head Ms. Janina Bautista, and Karuhatan Punong Barangay Martell Soledad, reflecting a collaborative effort to uphold consumer protection.

Aside from destroying the confiscated weighing scales in an environmentally responsible manner, the event also served as an avenue to educate market vendors about the proper use and maintenance of compliant weighing devices. On the other hand, consumers were informed of their rights and the city’s ongoing efforts to protect them.

By ensuring that all transactions in Valenzuela City markets are conducted using accurate and compliant weighing devices, the city government reinforces its dedication to fostering market integrity, consumer trust, and accountability among vendors. Through initiatives like Operation Timbangan, Valenzuela City remains at the forefront of consumer protection and good governance.

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