BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance that seeks to amend several sections of the city’s trade fair ordinance to help improve the city’s ability to generate added revenues from the conduct of regulated trade fairs in the city.
The proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr., Chairperson of the Committee on Market, Trade, Commerce and Agriculture, stated that Section 2 of the trade fair ordinance will state that it is hereby declared a policy of the local government of Baguio to regulate trade fairs in the city for a period of not exceeding 30 days in suitable private or public places that promote agricultural, industrial and commercial products, crafts and other merchandise through inter-regional trading fostering better livelihood opportunities, enhancing local tourism, and helping advance economic development.
Further, Section 13 of the said ordinance will now provide that trade fair participants shall not be limited to Baguio city residents and Cordillera-based enterprises not located in the city; provided, that the local businessmen shall be given priority; and, provided, further, that 20 percent of the trade fair’s gross income from the holding of trade fairs shall be paid to the City Treasury Office and used to support the beautification and cleanliness programs of the city.
On the other hand, Section 16 of the same ordinance will now provide that trade fairs and exhibits that are sponsored and organized by a national government agency where the city is the host local government shall pay the appropriate special permit fee, provided that all participants shall pay their special permits fees and other charges.
Yangot added it is now the call of the times to encourage economic, trade and commerce activities in the city to help alleviate the plight of micro-, small, and medium-scale entrepreneurs, thus, the need to amend the aforesaid provisions of the current trade fair ordinance as further amended to attune it to the times.
Under the provisions of Ordinance No. 13, series of 2012 which further amended the Trade Fair Ordinance of 1994, the conduct of trade fairs shall only be limited to 15 days and such limitation imposed on the trade and commerce activities is definitely not sufficient to allow the trading of local products to the public.
Yangot argued increasing the duration for trade fair organizers to pursue their economic activities will provide sufficient opportunities for them to be able to maximize the market of their products to the local residents and visitors alike.
Section 16 of Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental, for its efficient and effective governance and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to the applicable laws, rules and regulations and in the proper exercise of the corporate powers of the city as provided under pertinent sections of the code.
By Dexter A. See
