City officials recently directed the Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA) to strictly abide by the pertinent provisions of Section 160 of Tax Ordinance No. 2000-001 allowing helpers to watch over a stall or booth of an awardee at the city public market.
Under Resolution No. 674, series of 2023, local legislators stated that Section 160 of Tax Ordinance No. 2000-001 stated that any person who has been awarded the right to lease a market stall in accordance with the provisions of the same shall occupy, administer and be present personally at his or her stall or booth, provided, however, that he or she may employ helpers who must be citizens of the Philippines, including but not limited to his or her spouse, parents and children of the stallholder who are actually living with him and who are not disqualified under the provisions of the said ordinance; provided further, that the persons to be employed as helpers shall, under no circumstances, be persons with whom the stallholder has any commercial relation or transaction.
Earlier, the local legislative body considered a proposed resolution introduced by Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon that invited City Market Superintendent Caesar M. Emilio and City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias to the next regular session to explain the prevailing rules in the city pubic market regarding the fire displaced vendors of blocks 3 and 4.
The proposed resolution was filed following the complaints from concerned market stallholders who questioned the 3-strike policy being implemented by the city government where the stalls of those who will not be personally in their stalls for three consecutive times as per inspection results will be automatically declared vacant.
The council stated that it has provided through Tax ordinance No. 2000-001 a set of rules and regulations governing the administration, appraisal, assessment, levy, and collection of real taxes, business taxes, permit fees, building, and lot rentals in the city and such other fees and charges pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 7160 or the Local government code of the Philippines.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the CMA for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action by the said body.
