City Hall confiscates 93 illegal weighing scales

The continuing crackdown against illegal and defective weighing devices being used to cheat unsuspecting consumers in sidewalks and in the public markets here has led to the apprehension of 93 new violators by a team from the city government's Special Services Unit (SSU).

In a report submitted to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas yesterday, SSU chief Errol Cudilla said the series of operation conducted by his team covered the Iloilo Central Market, Iloilo Terminal Market, La Paz Public Market, and Jaro Big Market, on May 9 , 10, 11, and 12, respectively.

Apprehended immediately after onsite tests indicated their use of illegal weighing devices were Salvacion Alinday, Jean Torres, Rowena Jasmin, Gentrudes Amon, Egick Aton, Jer Mel, Cristine Montaño, Raquel Avista, Roy Yee, Graciano Detaro, one alias Calambro, Erlinda Buendia, Lea Pacania, Josephine dela Cruz, Consolacion Destacamento, Boy Lozano, Augusto Plifante, Gina Peroy, Juliet Cabaleos, one alias Jinky, Mariano Dumalag, Jerry Vega, Tony Padang, Rogelio Torques, Rolando Gonzales, Edith Robles, Joel May Lactopo, Ester Mendiola, Cecilia Pineda, Florentino Fernando, Canto Florentino, Raymund Ygan, Cristina Padilla, Marlyn Villanueva, Elvira Samontanes, Joel Liguan, Efren Tuvilla, James Sales, Rudy Gonzales, Connie Gayanelo, Wilfredo Ereneta, Joven Alag, Verna Docero, Virgilio Maval, Rolando Tan, Aurora Adorio, one alias Amy, Rasalie Boroca, Nida Chan, Rocelyn Bermodo, Alice Sarmento, Vilma Jarbadan, Liza Jambaro, Nancy Jandonero, Antonio Chan, CriseldaBayate, Jessel Bayaua, Gerard Delandan, Dodong Francisco, Raul Jardenil, Jaime Matutina, Gwen Sanchez, Leonida Suelo, Gloria Bestoer, Marma Gerona, Ramon Parreño, Caelian Jessie, Augustina Enescito, Isodro Cahumucan, Tony Pelobello, Gilbert Mascolino, Hermino Rivera, Jonathan Jabat, Renato Pasteva, Maribal Padora, Ramel Sula, Haide Zaragoza, Bing-bing Paclibar, Samuel Muñes, Suseme Espilita, Judy Baleno, Mergue Tingson, Leo Legada, Malma Jaluar, one alias Talaman, Denmark Henoso, Cheryl Fernandez, Joseph Sanquillar, Maria Elena Caballero, Adelina Camus, Noel Obapial, Jaime Causian, Violeta Deñas, Annabelle Gantalao, and Gloria Bilones.

Cudilla said the confiscated weights were either shortchanging customers by as much as 50 to 200 grams per kilo or lacked the official seal required for every weighing scale used within the city. An unscrupulous vendor can easily tamper an unsealed weighing scale to show erroneous readings favoring the seller.

Treñas has earlier ordered Cudilla to step up the campaign against illegal weights to manifest that the city government will not condone acts inimical to consumers especially now that Iloilo City played host to Palarong Pambansa athletes.

Cudilla said under Ordinance no. 399, vendors caught with illegal or defective weights are fined anywhere from P200 to P1,000 and made to pay fees relevant to calibration and official sealing of their confiscated weighing devices.

Earlier, Treñas reminded consumers to be constantly cautious of unscrupulous vendors to ensure that they are getting their money's worth of the goods they purchase. Adora Bandorio/PIO