Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 187)
The official system of weights and measures prescribed by Presidential Decree No. 187 is the metric system, to be used for all products, commodities, materials, utilities, services, commercial transactions, contracts, deeds, and other legal instruments in the Philippines.
The Metric System Board was created by Presidential Decree No. 187 to effect the orderly change from the English and other systems of weights and measures to the metric system. It is responsible for overseeing the conversion, promulgating rules, and ensuring nationwide adoption of the metric system.
The Metric System Board is composed of the Secretary of Trade and Tourism as Chairman, and as members, the Secretaries of Finance, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Public Works, Transportation and Communications, Education and Culture, Justice, and the Chairman of the National Science Development Board. Department undersecretaries and the vice-chairman serve as alternates.
The Board’s powers and functions include causing conversion of weights and measures to metric equivalents, drawing up and implementing a conversion program, promulgating rules and regulations approved by the President, appointing necessary personnel, and creating advisory and technical committees.
The metric system was to be fully adopted in all sectors throughout the Philippines by January 1, 1975.
Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand pesos, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both at the discretion of the court. If committed by a juridical person, responsible officers are also liable. Foreign offenders shall be deported after serving their sentence.
The Director of the Bureau of Standards serves as the Executive Secretary of the Metric System Board.
An amount of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) was appropriated for the expenses of the Board for fiscal year 1974, with the same amount included in the national budget for fiscal year 1975.
The decree took effect upon approval on May 10, 1973, but those allowed under existing laws to use other systems were given until designated dates to fully convert. The Metric System Board was to cease to exist by June 30, 1975.
PD No. 187 repeals or amends provisions of the Revised Administrative Code and all other laws, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the exclusive use of the metric system.