Gapan vendors want ordinance blocked

GAPAN CITY - The officers and members of the 500-strong marvet vendors association n this city have filed a mnifestation before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to block the ratification of an ordinance that provides for the increase of fees in market stalls and spaces.

Adelina Roque, president of the Gapan City Market Vendors Association, said they appealed to the SP to block the ratification of the Resoulution No. 24 Series 2008 or City Ordinance no. 02 series 2008 of Gapan City.

The measure, "an ordinance regulating the establishment, classification, administration and operation of government owned/operated public markets in the local government of Gapan," was approved by the city council, presided by Vice Mayor Christian Tinio and approved by Mayor Ernesto Natividad.

Otherwise known as Market Code of Gapan, the ordinance explains that the "on going and future development projects for the improvement and expansion of sxisting city owned, controlled or operated public markets designed to promote and improve the capabilities of the local government to deliver desired public services, and to ensure the safety, comfort and well-being of vendor and the buying public."

Such goals, the council raesones out "can only be achieved if the administration of the city markets are improved or stremlined" and the "income from the operation thereof are made more realistic."

But Roque's group claimed there was not even a public hearing for the measure. This, the group said, violated the Article 276 of the implementing rules and regulations of the Local Government Code.

The old public market of Gapan City was razed by fire on Aug. 12, 2007. It was rebuilt through a bank loan of reportedly P238 million.

Roque said under the recently approved ordinance, vendors are asked to pay P17,000 to P22,00 per sq meter for the wet section and P22,000 to P27,000 per sq meter for the enclosed stalls.