Market authorities target cheating vendors

CEBU, Philippines — The new acting Cebu City market administrator Irenea Geneston said they will go after vendors taking advantage of consumers especially during the Christmas season.

Geneston said these vendors should not jack up prices of goods being sold.

The Office of the City Markets, Geneston said, has its monitoring team to check on the prices of goods. Monitoring will be done daily and at a random area and time.

“Para sa mga vendors no, nga kanang hilig g’yud kaayo magpataas sa ilang mga presyo, magbantay-bantay sila kay naa baya g’yud mi mga monitoring team nga magsuroy,” Geneston said thorough the city’s PIO.

Those who will be caught jacking up prices will have to face the consequence.

“Dakop g’yud ta nila… Ato g’yud na silang ipatawag para mo-explain nganong nagpataas sila sa ilang mga presyo… Naa man g’yuy rason na sila no. So, ato na silang himuan og report atong ipadala ngadto sa atoang City Legal Office for show cause (order),” Geneston added.

Should a vendor be caught doing it again, stiffer penalties will be meted out for them. Worse, their stall or spot in the market will be taken out from them.

Aside from price monitoring, the OCM will also continue to check on the weighing scales used by the vendors as some may also be manipulated or rigged.

“Mag-monitor pud ta sa mga timbangan, surprise (inspection) g’yud na siya. Di g’yud na nato pwede ipahibawo sa kadaghanan kay panghiposon nila ilahang mga tikasan nga timbangan,” Geneston said.

But Geneston also advised vendors and consumers to be extra careful against fake money.

“Ipuno ko na sa amoa unyang buhaton sa monitoring team sa pagpahinumdom sa mga kustomer o mga manindahay man nga mag-cautious sila sa mga madawat nila nga kwarta nga papel kay tinuod mokatap g’yud na karong panahona sa Pasko,” Geneston said.

The OCM is also open to accept any complaints or reports concerning the public markets in Cebu City including the satellite markets. — /BRP (FREEMAN)