The Department of Science and Technology will begin a calibration caravan in the towns and cities in Negros Occidental this month to check on weighing scales to ensure that they have not been tampered with, John Rey Suelo, DOST laboratory technician, said yesterday.

DOST will start the calibration in Kabankalan City and penalties to be imposed on the owners of tampered weighing scales will be determined by the LGU.

The inspectors will place test weights on the weighing scales and if it shows the accurate mass, the scale will be sealed to be inspected later by the Department of Trade and Industry, he said

Under Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, LGUs must ensure that all instruments for determining weights and measures in all consumer and consumer-related transactions should be tested, calibrated and sealed every six months, Suelo added.

DOST is encouraging LGUs to organize the calibration activity and communicate with prospective individuals, traders and companies who have weighing instruments to be calibrated.

LGUs should also provide the venue where the calibration activity will be conducted and the personnel who will assist them.*APN

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