EDITORIAL - Moratorium

To lessen the burden of small-time traders in the wake of rising expenses, the Mandaue City Council has approved recently a measure establishing a moratorium for one month on rental payments and other fees at the Mandaue City Public Market.

Taking effect from September 13 to October 14, 2023, the ordinance - authored by Councilor Oscar del Castillo - is seen to benefit at least 108 retailers of rice, corn and other cereal products that occupy spaces at the Mandaue City Public Market.

According to del Castillo, chairman of the City Council Committee on Market and Abattoir, there's really an urgent need to "establish effective measures in mitigating the effects of the price ceiling on rice on the rice, corn and cereal section vendors at the said market."

As per report from this paper, the Mandaue City government rents out spaces at the public market for P500 a day. For each regular stall, the rent is P40 a day.

Yes, the new ordinance will be of great help to the rice retailers at the Mandaue City Public Market at this time when the national government’s ceiling on the price of rice is taking a toll on their daily income.

In fact, the council said that the ordinance’s "primary objective is to align with the National Government's efforts to regulate rice prices while simultaneously safeguarding the interests of the rice vendors in the City of Mandaue."

However, the city government should also consider making move to help other traders at the public market who are also reeling from the serious effects of the present crisis. They too need whatever help the city can provide in order to survive.

Let us admit that the ordinance only brings relief to a small portion of those doing business at the Mandaue City Public Market. And it’s only fair if other vendors at the market should also receive the same assistance from the city government.