SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/2 Nov) – Responding to proposals seeking to increase taxes and rentals, market vendors here said they are willing to pay up on one condition: City Hall should first address the widespread pilferage, proliferation of sidewalk vendors and other problems besetting the market.
Vendor Aga Manangkiran said the pilferage problem inside the market should be solved. “Somebody forcibly opened my shop, carting away all my DVDs and CDs. Lucky they did not include the appliances,” he said.
The public market vendors, represented by their own section leaders, also accused City Hall of looking the other way when it comes to illegal vendors. They hinted that some personalities are tolerating the sidewalk vendors for personal gain.
The vendors said City Hall cannot expect them to take in more taxes when illegal vendors, who don’t pay the proper rent and other government dues, are eating up their profits. “How can we earn when there are so many illegal vendors around the market,” lamented Virgenia Robles during last week’s public hearing on the proposed amendment of the market code.
City Councilor Baltazar Abian led the hearing at the city auditorium.
Early this year, the city enforced an ordinance banning vendors along sidewalks.
After sometime, however, sidewalk vendors such as those along Borromeo, Sarvida, San Nicolas and Amat Streets are again being allowed to display their goods. The presence of these vendors is being blamed for the heavy traffic at the city’s main thoroughfares.
Meanwhile, City Councilor Abian told vendors during the forum that the proposed increase in rates will remain a proposal unless these are approved by the City Council.
One of the proposed increase is that for every kilo of first class fish sold, the city will collect P1.25 instead of the prevailing 90
centavos.
Abian clarified that any increase will only be implemented after consultations with all concerned parties. He added that all section
representatives in the market will be called again to come up wit h areasonable rate increase.
He explained that the market code must be replaced because rates have not been adjusted since 1989.
The city is in the midst of boosting its sources of revenues in anticipation for next year’s P36-million shortfall in its share in the internal revenue allocation. The local government here is also proposing an increase in real property taxes. (Roel N. Catoto /
MindaNews)
Market vendors: yes to tax hike but...
SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/2 Nov) – Responding to proposals seeking to
increase taxes and rentals, market vendors here said they are willing
to pay up on one condition: City Hall should first address the
widespread pilferage, proliferation of sidewalk vendors and other
problems besetting the market.
Vendor Aga Manangkiran said the pilferage problem inside the market
should be solved. “Somebody forcibly opened my shop, carting away all
my DVDs and CDs. Lucky they did not include the appliances,” he said.
The public market vendors, represented by their own section leaders,
also accused City Hall of looking the other way when it comes to
illegal vendors. They hinted that some personalities are tolerating
the sidewalk vendors for personal gain.
The vendors said City Hall cannot expect them to take in more taxes
when illegal vendors, who don't pay the proper rent and other
government dues, are eating up their profits. “How can we earn when
there are so many illegal vendors around the market,” lamented
Virgenia Robles during last week’s public hearing on the proposed
amendment of the market code.
City Councilor Baltazar Abian led the hearing at the city auditorium.
Early this year, the city enforced an ordinance banning vendors along sidewalks.
After sometime, however, sidewalk vendors such as those along
Borromeo, Sarvida, San Nicolas and Amat Streets are again being
allowed to display their goods. The presence of these vendors is being
blamed for the heavy traffic at the city's main thoroughfares.
Meanwhile, City Councilor Abian told vendors during the forum that the
proposed increase in rates will remain a proposal unless these are
approved by the City Council.
One of the proposed increase is that for every kilo of first class
fish sold, the city will collect P1.25 instead of the prevailing 90
centavos.
Abian clarified that any increase will only be implemented after
consultations with all concerned parties. He added that all section
representatives in the market will be called again to come up with a
reasonable rate increase.
He explained that the market code must be replaced because rates have
not been adjusted since 1989.
The city is in the midst of boosting its sources of revenues in
anticipation for next year's P36-million shortfall in its share in the
internal revenue allocation. The local government here is also
proposing an increase in real property taxes. (Roel N. Catoto /
MindaNews)
