Philippine units of measurement
A number of units of measurement were used in the Philippines to measure quantities including mass, area and capacity. Metric system has been compulsory since 1860 in the Philippines.[1]
System before metric system
Spanish units and local units were used.
Mass
A number of units were used to measure mass. One catty was equal to about 600 g.[1] Some other units are given below:
1 punto = 1/3 catty
1 chinanta = 10 catty
1 lachsa = 48 catty
1 caban = 97 catty
1 pecul = 100 catty.[1]
One caban of rice was equal to 133 lb while one caban of cocoa was equal to 83 1/2 lb.[2]
Area
One belita was equal to 2795 m2.[1][3] Some other units are given below:
1 loan = 0.1 balita
1 quignon = 10 balita.[1]
Capacity
Several units were used to measure capacity. Some units are given below:
1 kaban = 99.90 l
1 chupa = 0.000 003 75 m3
1 ganta = 1 /25 kaban
1 apatan = 1/4 chupa.[1]
