<div class="image-full-width">
<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/weights-and-measures.webp" class="image_300" alt="System of weights and measures" />
</div>


<h3>
Why Reform Was Needed  
</h3>
<ul class="k-list">
<li>
Government tests in the early 1900s showed serious falsification of market measures; <i>"the only reliable unit was a Standard Oil Can"</i>, remarked officials.  
</li>
<li>
Spanish units (vara, ganta, arroba, picul, etc.) co-existed with American pounds and gallons introduced after 1898, causing confusion and unfair trading practices.  
</li>
</ul>

<h3>
Key Features of Act No. 1519  
</h3>

<div style="overflow-x:auto;">
<table>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Provision</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>Details</b> 
</td>
</tr>


<tr>
<td>
Fundamental standard
</td>
<td>
<i>Metric system</i> designated as the "fundamental system" for length, area, capacity and weight.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
Transition window
</td>
<td>
Traditional Spanish and English units could still be used <b>until 1 Jan 1909</b>; local governors could extend use in remote areas for up to two more years.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
Official sealing & fees
</td>
<td>
Provincial treasurers became "sealers of weights and measures"; schedules of sealing fees (e.g., ₱0.30 for a small scale, ₱3.00 for a large truck scale) were set.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
Enforcement & penalties
</td>
<td>
Use of unsealed or falsified devices after the grace period: fine up to ₱4 000 or two years' imprisonment; officials who colluded faced up to ₱1 000 fine and two years' jail.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
Consumer protection
</td>
<td>
Rewards of ₱20-₱100 for informants leading to convictions encouraged public vigilance.
</td>
</tr>

</table>
</div>

<h4>
Metric Equivalents of Common Spanish Units (per Act appendix)  
</h4>

<div style="overflow-x:auto;">
<table>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Old unit</b> 
</td>
<td>
<b>Metric value</b>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
Spanish ounce
</td>
<td>
28.75 grams
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
Spanish pound
</td>
<td>
 460 grams
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
<i>Ganta</i> (dry measure) 
</td>
<td>
3 liters
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
<i>Cavan</i> 
</td>
<td>
75 liters
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
<i>Vara</i> 
</td>
<td>
0.836 meter
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
<i>Braza</i> 
</td>
<td>
1.672 meters
</td>
</tr>

</table>
</div>



August 6, 1906: the system of weights and measures were reformed