DTI reminds retailers to use metric system

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry – Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) continuously reminds retailers, particularly hardware stores, to use the metric system as the only measurement system for all products and other commercial transactions in accordance with the national and international standards.

DTI-CPO provincial director Nelia Navarro said that there are still a number of hardware stores and retailers who do not abide with the recommended metric system and still stick with the inch system.

She added that local establishments should adopt the metric system in their measurement practices to be at par with retailers from other countries.

“We found out that Cebu is always left behind when it comes to following the international standards. Again, we are reminding our retailers, especially our hardware store operators, to always use the metric system,” she said.

Navarro also noted that the use of metric system is stated in the Batas Pambansa Bilang 8, an act defining the metric system and its units, providing for its implementation and for other purposes.

The adoption of the metric system, as cited in the provision, has been effective in January 1983. It is defined as the sole measurement system to be used in the Philippines for all products, commodities, materials, utilities, services, and commercial transactions.

The effective use of the international system of units includes the rules of usage, metric conversion tables and factors, metrication programs and weights and measures.

It is further stated that in the metric system, the base unit of length shall be metre, kilogram for mass, second for time, ampere for electric current, kelvin for thermodynamic temperature, candela for luminous intensity and mole for amount of substance.

Penalties for any violation of the provisions of the Batas Pambansa Bilang 8 include a fine of not more than P1,000, an imprisonment for a term of not more than a year or both upon the discretion of the Court.

The trade department shall conduct a meeting with industry stakeholders on the possible issuance advisory on sizes of plywood, steel bars, angle bars, pipes and nails this week. The advisories on sizes, once finalized, will be officially launched on October 30.

These activities are in line with the celebration of the 39th National Standards Week from October 8 to 14 with the theme “International Standards Ensure Positive Change.” This is in cognizant with the World Standards Day on the 14th of October. /JOB (FREEMAN)