Belmonte orders probe of market operation

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered an investigation of the alleged anomalous operation of a market under the Luzon Avenue flyover.

The head of the city government’s Market Development and Administration Department has resigned following Belmonte’s order to probe questionable market deals. No replacement has been named.

Belmonte said yesterday some 200 vendors under the Luzon flyover had been paying fees of P150 per stall per day to a private firm, Efficient Business Management Outsource Inc. or e-Manage.

The vendors did not have permits but paid fees to e-Manage, which only issued an acknowledgement receipt in the name of the Luzon Wet and Dry Market, officials said.

E-Manage had been paying business taxes as a management consulting firm but officials said that it did not have a permit to operate a market. 

The city government said it has tried to communicate with e-Manage but the firm has not responded.

Belmonte said she has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to let the vendors continue operations until a memorandum of agreement has been signed for a new relocation site. 

Belmonte said in a statement that questionable deals and corruption have no place in her administration and violators would be held accountable.