The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Tarlac has confiscated seven defective weighing scales used by vendors at the Paniqui Public Market in Tarlac. These scales were among 130 units inspected by DTI officials during a recent monitoring activity.
DTI Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Provincial Director Florencia Balilo explained that the agency’s inspection of weighing scales is part of efforts to protect consumers, as mandated by Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
“This consumer protection initiative is a collaborative effort between DTI, local government units, and consumer organizations. The goal is to ensure that weighing scales are accurate, functional, and compliant with established standards to protect the interests of consumers,” she stated.

The inspection, which was part of a broader saturation drive, was conducted in cooperation with the Tarlac Consumer’s Council Inc. and the Local Price Coordination Council of Paniqui. During the operation, the defective scales were seized and turned over to the market administrator’s office.
In addition to inspecting the weighing scales, DTI officials also checked price tags, labels, and the weight of repacked items to ensure compliance with regulations.
DTI regularly carries out such monitoring activities in public markets to promote consumer welfare, protect buyers from inaccurate measurements, and ensure that consumers receive fair value for their money.