City of Balanga: Constantly Caring for Customers

Anchored in public service, the City of Balanga (COB), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Bataan and Bataan Consumer Affairs Council, led the dismantling of 154 confiscated weighing scales at the City Public Market. The weighing scales were owned by merchants who were not aware of their defects. The rigors of daily use contributed to the loss of some of the scales’ parts which, in turn, resulted in inaccurate readings.

SP Member Hubert B. Pizarro, chairman of the Committee on Market Administration, conveyed his reminder to merchants that the dismantling of weighing scales is for their benefit as well as that of consumers.

Mr. Rodolfo H. De Mesa, City Administrator and Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of City Economic Investment Development Office (CEIDO), further elaborated in his message that the defective weighing scales were not deliberately used to cheat customers, but that merchants might have neglected or overlooked the need to upgrade, or check, their weighing scales regularly to determine their functionality and accuracy.

DTI – Bataan OIC Ms. Nelin O. Cabahug positively stated that this partnership between DTI and COB will continue to be strong as both parties uphold their advocacy of protecting and developing both consumers and businessmen.

As stated by Mr. Rolando A. Dizon, chairman of Bataan Consumer Affairs Council, they are working hand-in-hand with DTI and the city government to represent the common people who are the main patrons of the market place.

The actual dismantling of the defective weighing scales was carried out in the presence of COB News correspondents. Other media partners of Bataan who also witnessed the event were 1 Bataan, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Bataan Prime Star, News Weekly, CLTV 36 and NET 25.

A press conference hosted by DTI immediately followed at Crown Royale Hotel after the event where Mr. De Mesa entertained questions posed by media representatives and provided satisfactory answers which elicited a favorable response from them.