Target Beneficiaries and Coverage
- The program covers tobacco traders/buyers and farmers as defined by existing trading rules.
- Specifically targets flue-cured tobacco growing areas to ensure compliance.
Implementing Guidelines and Strategies
- Only "Dial Type Weighing Scales" or scaled "Toledo Scales" with a minimum sensitivity of 500 kilograms are to be used.
- Trader applicants must submit a calibration permit or certificate from the Office of the Treasurer as a prerequisite to obtaining a license.
- Continuous monitoring and spot-checking of weighing scales will be conducted during the tobacco trading period.
- Special Trading Inspection Teams (STIT) will be equipped with standard weights (5, 10, 20 kgs) approved by the Bureau of Standards to conduct inspections.
- NTA staff and field extensionists must report observations or complaints from farmers regarding weighing scale accuracy, including details such as date/time, nature of complaint, observations, and recommended actions.
- Reports should be submitted through proper channels and shared with the inspection team regardless of whether the problem is resolved.
Implementing Organization
- A Special Trading Inspection Team (STIT) will be established to oversee the program's implementation alongside their regular inspection duties.
- The STIT’s tasks include monitoring, spot-checking, initiating legal actions, and recommending corrective measures.
- The STIT will also study trading operations and rule enforcement to enhance efficiency.
- The team will analyze documentation and reporting systems to ensure timeliness and accuracy.
- The STIT will submit recommendations based on their findings and take immediate action as needed.
- The STIT Central Committee is chaired by the Deputy Administrator for Operations (DAOP), with key representatives from various departments forming the committee.
- Provincial STIT branches will be led by Branch Managers supported by 2-7 members, all officially appointed via Special Orders.
Penalties and Sanctions
- Willful violation of the calibration program's provisions is classified as a serious offense under Presidential Decree 1481.
- Such violations are subject to penalties outlined in Section 37 of PD 1481, which governs enforcement and sanctions for tobacco trading violations.
Effectivity
- The guidelines take effect immediately upon issuance.
This General Calibration Program establishes an organized and enforced system to guarantee the integrity of weighing devices used in tobacco trading, thereby protecting the rights and interests of both traders and farmers through accurate measurements and strict regulatory oversight.