Market stall rental hike put off for five years
TWO WEEKS BEFORE NEW ADMINISTRATION
THE outgoing city council of Dagupan, with six of its members among those re-elected for another term of office, has granted the request of stallholders at the New Malimgas Public Market for a reprieve in the annual increase of their rental fees in the next five years.
Under Ordinance No. 1860-2006, known as the Revised Market Code of the City of Dagupan, basic market rental fees are subject to a five per cent escalation rate every year.
The suspension of the increase, contained in Ordinance No. 2948-2010 which amends
Section 10, Paragraph D, of Ordinance No. 1860-2006, will be in effect f beginning January 1 this year to December 2014.
It was sponsored jointly by Councilors Jesus Canto, Alfie Fernandez, Karlos Reyna and Alfredo Quinto and seconded by outgoing Councilors Farah Marie Decano and Jose Netu Tamayo.
The move was made by the city council at the request of members of the Malimgas Aliguas Dagupan Vendors Federation (MADAVFE) who cited tough business conditions given high operating costs from the rental fees, the global recession and the effects of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” last year.
MADAVFE members said there has been a continuous decline in their sales, which has already prompted several stallholders to close shop over the last two years.
They warned that another escalation would only worsen their situation and the city government would end up subsidizing more of the market’s operations.
The ordinance will take effect 10 days after its publication in a local paper of general circulation. –LM
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
