Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has given the owners and administrators of private markets in the city until December this year to comply with all the national and local government regulatory requirements for engaging in legitimate market operations.
The Mayor gave the order after the City Health Department reported that 48 of the 49 private markets in Quezon City are operating without the necessary regulatory permits and certificates, such as health and sanitation permits, business permits, environmental clearances and discharge permits, which are either issued by the QC government, Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Based on the report submitted by city health officer Dr. Verdades Linga, the only market that was able to comply with the prescribed requirements is Super Palengke in Proj. 8.
To date, Dr. Linga said the city health department, in close coordination with the city’s environmental protection and waste management department and the market development and administration department, has already informed the owners and administrators of the 48 markets about their violations through a series of dialogues conducted at QC Hall.
Further, notices of hearings have already been scheduled informing them of the urgency of their compliance to the city’s market regulations, which will also include the submission of their respective renovation plans.
“Hopefully, we can get their compliance before Christmas,” the Mayor.
According to the Mayor, the city’s move is not intended to encourage market owners to close business, but rather, encourage them to improve their businesses. “We just want them to (market owners) feel that we are serious in helping them improve their businesses,” the Mayor said.
Among the markets covered by the inspection are Arayat, Commonwealth, Farmer’s, Mega-Q-mart, Litex, Munoz, Pag-asa, Suki, A. Bonifacio, Abra and Susano.
Market Development Administration Department head Noel Soliven said non-compliance would mean issuance of a cease and desist order from the city government.
Meanwhile, city building official Isagani Versoza said the city usually recommends a 30 to 60-day period to correct deficiencies, like the installation of sewerage treatment plants, exhaust fans, structural repairs and retrofit, among others.
Earlier, the QC government has recommended the closure of eight private markets in Balintawak for violating provisions of the sanitation and building codes. # (ARES P. GUTIERREZ, Chief, PAISO)
