Mandaue councilor seeks delay in collection of fees from stallholders

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, who heads the market committee of the city council, has proposed a resolution which requests the city treasurer’s office and the market administrator to hold in abeyance the collection of lease right fees from stall holders pending the enactment of a moratorium ordinance on lease right fees.

The proposal was filed following allegations by stall holders that they have not made a profit since the public market opened this year.

Lumapas said that to help stall holders recoup their losses is to postpone the collection of fees.

The resolution was approved during last Wednesday’s session.

Lumapas also introduced a proposed ordinance which imposes a one-year moratorium for the lease right fees at the new market starting from January 8, 2012 up to January 8, 2013.

In separate interview, Lumapas said the market is not doing good since it opened in January this year.

“Nakita man gud nato nga nanghawa gumikan kay way halin samtang ang uban nagsugod na ug pamaligya sa ilang mga rights diha sa merkado,” Lumapas said.

Market vendors often complain about losses and attribute this to ambulant vendors at the old public market who continue to do business there.

Ambulant vendors continue to sell at the old market because the demolition team tasked to go after them is undermanned.