Vendors oppose planned 500 percent hike in rent

CEBU, Philippines - Several Cebu City market vendors associations are objecting to a proposed measure introducing a new market code that imposes a higher rental scheme.

Lawyer Julius Cabañero, Pasil Fish Market Vendors Association counsel, said they computed the new rent, at 30 per square meter a day, to be at P90,000 a month for a 30-square meter stall or space.

 “This is very sweeping, expensive and it’s not fair,” he said.

 “Dili namo kaya ang gidak-on sa bayranan. Daghan usab mi bayronon nga fees sama sa entrance fee nga nagkantidad og P60 per bundle sa buwak nga kolektahon sa barangay (We cannot afford the huge fee. We are also paying other fees, like the entrance fee of P60 per bundle of flowers that Barangay Pasil is collecting),” said Jaime Oka of the Freedom Traders Multipurpose Cooperative.

 City Councilor Alvin Arcilla has authored a proposed ordinance instituting the Cebu City Market Code of 2014, revoking Ordinance No. 1486 (Revised Market Code of 1993). Arcilla wanted the new measure to regulate the establishment, classification, administration and operation of both government and privately-owned and operated markets within the jurisdiction of the city.

 The proposed measure also includes a corresponding increase in the market stalls rental fees. Rent of a primary stall is pegged at P30 per square meter, which is a 500-percent increase from the previous rate of P5 per square meter.

If the proposal is approved, the new rate would be imposed at the Carbon Public Market complex sections, Freedom Park Public Market, Pardo Public Market, and Taboan Public Market, among others.

“The institution and establishment of market buildings, spaces, vendor centers and other facilities including special markets, busy streets and sidewalks crowded by ambulant vendors will be decongested to the best interest of its constituents,” Arcilla said.

In a public hearing last week, City Market Administrator Raquel Arce said the increase ranging P20 to P30 per square meter from P5 per square meter was based on the city’s “market approach.”

“More than 20 years ang siyudad wa nangako og rental increase, karon lang, at least P20 to P30 per square meter depending on the market location, ang kolektahon. Atong i-intensify ang collection nga moadto sa panudlanan sa siyudad,” she said.

 She assured that revenue generated from the markets would go back to the market vendors through modern facilities, infrastructures and services.

 “With the passage of this proposed ordinance, we are expecting to create, operate, maintain and expand reliable and economically viable markets as service and economic enterprise,” she added.

 Cabañero, though, questioned the inclusion of private market operators, which was not contained in the previous market code.

 Erwin Gok-ong, Cebu Vendors Market Cooperative president, objected to the inclusion of private entities operating the city’s markets.

“Mawad-an mi’g panginabuhian kay unsa mang klase sa fastfood chain pwede na mag negosyo sa atong merkado. Kami mohangyo nga i-consider ang panginabuhi sa kadaghanan sa pagpasar sa bag-ong balaudnon (We would lose our livelihood because just about anyone could do business in our markets. We beg that the city consider the livelihood of a lot of people in deciding whether to pass this ordinance or not),” he said.

Warwick-Barracks Stall Owners and Livelihood Association president Perla Eraya also opposed the proposed ordinance, saying a thorough study must first be conducted before its approval.

“Mohangyo kami sa pag-delay usa sa pag-implementar sa New Market Code of 2014 ug ipatuman ang stakeholders consultation ug ang pagpahigayon og city market operations case study,” she asked.

The city has already scheduled a dialogue with all market vendors.  (FREEMAN)