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Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. signed an ordinance to regulate the fast-growing operations of tiangges or what he calls “privilege stores” in the city.

He urged the city’s market development and administration department to make sure that the rules and regulations to be adopted by the city government cover environmental concerns, safety, security and traffic management.

Belmonte said these tiangges or periodic trade exhibits where goods are sold at discounted prices, are disrupting the sale of shopping malls.

Privilege stores have proliferated near shopping malls and other public places nationwide.

Organizers and stall owners in tiangges  who participate in these exhibits operate in a nomadic fashion, making it difficult for the city government to track them down and compel them to pay city hall fees and taxes.

Under the new ordinance, tiangge organizers are required to get a special permit from the city council at least 60 days before they open for business.

In addition to the special permit, the current business permit of the owner of the property as well as the certification that they have paid the real property and business taxes.

The tiangges will only be allowed to operate 14 days a month with at least a five-day interval before conducting another selling period.

Belmonte warned tiangge operators that violators of the city ordinances will pay a fine of P5,000 and six months in jail.  – Perseus Echeminada