Erap: No rent hike for public market stalls

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada assured vendors yesterday that there will be no increase in rent for stalls at the newly renovated public markets.

The city government will protect legitimate vendors and stall holders from criminal syndicates demanding protection money, he said.

He said the rent would be as low as P20 a day.

“We will not allow any increase (in rental rates). We will always protect the vendors. So we are here to protect everybody. We will be just and fair to everybody, especially the vendors,” Estrada said.

He said the renovation of the public markets was a joint venture with XRC Mall Developers Inc. and the city government still owns and has full control of the public markets.

Two hundred vendors and stall holders have returned to the newly renovated Sta. Ana market on Pedro Gil Street and San Andres Market along Leveriza Street in Malate. 

Estrada led the re-opening of the Sta. Ana and San Andres markets during the celebration of his 79th birthday on April 19.

The renovation of Sta. Ana market cost P274 million while San Andres market cost P172 million.

Estrada said the Sampaloc, Trabajo and Quinta public markets would also be inaugurated soon.