‘Tinda’y Labi’ held sans city ordinance
HEAVY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC NOTED
63 exhibitors join first street bazaar
THE ‘Tinda’y Labi’ in Dagupan City pushed through on Friday and Saturday as scheduled despite a fuss in the city council with only a temporary permit granted to organizers by Acting Mayor Alvin Fernandez.
At least 63 exhibitors joined the activity which however created a long queue of slow-moving vehicles in major streets, virtually trapped in bumper-to-bumper situation.
Fernandez granted the permit when the city council failed to meet in a special session Wednesday in order to approve a draft ordinance proposed by Councilor Nicanor Aquino authorizing and regulating the project.
The special session was scheduled when the council suspended its discussion on the proposed edict during its regular session on Monday after assessing that the share of the city from the night market income was quite low.
“Give us our fair share,” demanded members of the council after being told that the city would get only P30 from every exhibitor renting a space of six square meters each.
There are about 200 exhibitors set to showcase their products at the ‘Tinda’y Labi’ who would be charged P300 per night each.
The councilors instead want a 50/50 sharing from the rental revenues that would be collected by the organizers, Dagupan Bangus Jaycees and the Badminton Association of Dagupan (BAD), as they are using the street of the city from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. every weekend for the whole month of November.
Dennis Canto, president of BAD and over-all chairman of the project, said they are willing to increase the initial 10% share of the local government to P100 for every P300 rent.
Appearing before the city council, Canto underscored that “Tinda’y Labi” aims to help the city government through the revenue share as well as by stimulating its economic activities at night and enhance tourism as well.
Big Sponsors
The city council had insisted on a bigger share from the project as they know that the organizers were able to get sponsorships from companies, including Smart Telecommunications, Inc., among others.
Councilor Alex De Venecia clarified that he is not opposed to the project and is only demanding a fair share for the city from the project.
“I support the program but I am just seeking a fair share of the city from the project because the organizers have many big sponsors,” said De Venecia.
On the other hand, Aquino explained that ‘Tinda’y Labi’ is a private project and not a city project, so there is no need to demand for a higher share of the proceeds.
“The city will not spend a single centavo for this project as the expenses will all be shouldered by the organizers,” said Aquino.
De Venecia retorted that the city will inevitably be involved financially since the city’s tourism office is helping promote the project.
Fernandez said he issued a temporary permit to the organizers in consideration of the numerous exhibitors and sponsors who have already confirmed their participation in the event.
“The city council is very supportive of the project but we have to have a fair deal for the city government of Dagupan. The deal should be just and fair,” Fernandez said De Venecia’s position.
He said although Mayor Lim, who is on a two-week private trip outside the country, already, gave his go-signal to the project, it is still the city council that decides the imposition of certain fees.
Lim is expected to be back in office on Monday and the council said it is ready to deliberate on the matter if the mayor puts forward a recommendation.– AQL
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