City market collections up

City Hall market administration consultant Valeriano "Bobit" Avila yesterday said the city's public market continues to be a potent contributing factor to the city's coffers.

In a comparative report from January to August, the record shows that the market collections of all units and satellite markets reached P34,300,463.16 compared to P32,241,086.41 of the same period last year. The collection was derived from stall rentals, space occupancy fees and other receipts.

The public markets in the city are the Pardo Public Market, T. Padilla public market, Ramos public market, Pasil fish market, Taboan public market, Warwick barracks, Freedom park, Carbon Unit I, II and III.

As of August this year the Pasil fish market earned most with P993,988.75 while the Ramos public market, which is under renovation, earned only P42,102.60.

One of the contributing factors of the increase is that some vendors with delinquencies settled their accounts, Avila said as they have imposed business taxes and enforced the "no pay, no vending" policy.

In his accomplishment report submitted to the city council, Avila said that in the new Ramos market, out of 235 stalls that were constructed, only 182 were held by legitimate stallholders while the rest are subject to public auction.

The market administration also reported that it has implemented the regulation of street and sidewalk vendors in the Carbon complex. - Garry B. Lao/BRP