Lower budget for city’s market authority for 2016

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Market Authority’s proposed budget for next year is lower than what it proposed for this year.

It asked for P59.9 million for 2016, lesser than this year’s P80.7 million.

Market Authority head Raquel Arce explained the offices spends what it earns and with this year’s collection not reaching the amount expected, they can only request for a smaller budget for next year.

She said that as of October 15, the office collected P50 million, admitting they could no longer collect the projected P80.7 million within the year.

“This year is P80 million. Dili ko ka-meet sa target kay wala pa ma-approve ang amendment sa market code nga atong gi-propose for the rental fees,” Arce said during the budget hearing last Friday.

The office has asked that the rental rate in the city’s markets be increased to P10 per square meter from the existing P1 per square meter.

This is reportedly stipulated in the proposed revised Market Code for the city sponsored by Councilor Alvin Arcilla, head of the City Council’s Committee on Market. Several vendors have opposed the proposal since a higher rental rate would affect their income.

Arce said she cannot be confident that the proposal would be approved next year, as the plight of the vendors will be considered.

“Ang atong expenses, igoon ra. We spend in what we earn. Next year is P59 million kay nakita nato nga dili pa feasible ang amendment,” she said.

Under its Capital Outlay, the Cebu City Market Authority is asking P5.5 million for the rehabilitation of the drainage system at the Pasil Public Market and another P4.3 million for the replacement of metal louver to wood louver at Unit 1 Carbon Market.  During the budget hearing, Councilor Lea Japson, vice chairwoman of the Council’s committee on budget and finance, asked Arce on the “controversial” construction of Unit 2 Carbon Market.

Arce said the reconstruction of the Carbon Market Unit 2 is now on the second floor of the building.

She said the project will be completed in the first quarter next year.

At least 20 Cebu City hall officials, including Mayor Michael Rama, are facing a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for the construction of Carbon Market Unit 2 for allegedly favoring a private contractor for the project. (FREEMAN)