Talisay vendors complain of 'dual collection'

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City  vendors are complaining against what they said is dual collection of stall rentals imposed to those who have rented spaces in both markets in Barangays Lagtang and Tabunok.

Sherwin Echavez, the president of Tabunok Vendors Association, said they feel that it would be too much for the city government to collect stall fees even if they are no longer using the space.

The vendors are paying stall fees ranging from P45 to P65 a day, depending on the area they are occupying.

Echavez said there are vendors who are already occupying  at the Tabunok market and no longer occupying the stalls in Lagtang market but are still being charged by the city for fees.

It can be recalled that in 2011, the Talisay City government closed the dilapidated Tabunok Public Market and moved the vendors to the new Lagtang Public Market.

But the Tabunok market was reopened last August 2013 and vendors were moved back to Tabunok despite its dilapidated condition.

City Councilor Danilo Caballero sponsored a resolution asking Mayor Johnny de los Reyes to stop the dual collection of stall rentals on all vendors who have rented spaces in both markets.

Caballero, who is the chairman of the committee on market, said  only the mayor has the power to direct and exercise the supervision of the market under the Revenue Code of the City of Talisay.

It is also stipulated in the ordinance that the city treasurer has the control over the collection of all revenues from these markets.

"The grievances of our fellow Talisaynon vendors ideally be respected, considered and be given a just collection of stall rentals, particularly to those who have stalled in both public markets in the Barangays of Lagtang and Tabunok," read Caballero's resolution, which was approved by all members present during Tuesday's council session.

De los Reyes, for his part, is still waiting for the copy of the approved resolution before he will make his decision.

De los Reyes, however, is expecting to get anytime soon the approval of the council for him to enter into loan agreement for the construction three-story public market in Tabunok.

He said they already have the project design, and that in the next few months,  construction will start. (FREEMAN)