City expands night market stall area, hike fees

June 6, 2022 Metro BLISTT

The local government will be increasing the regulatory fees being collected from night market vendors fromP350 to P500 aside from expanding the night market stall area from 1.5 by 1.5 meters to 2 by 2 meters per slot.
The increase in night market fees and the expansion of the night market stall area were contained under Executive Order (EO) No. 62, series of 2022 issued on May 25, 2022.
Earlier, City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias disclosed that his office is awaiting the issuance of the appropriate order to legitimize the collection of the increased night market fees that are collected from the participating vendors on a weekly basis.
On May 18, 2022, city officials with night market vendors, totaling a number of 329, at the Baguio Athletic Bowl to discuss the proposed increase in the night market stall areas and the corresponding fees that will be collected by the local government from the participating vendors.
Majority of the attendees to the said meeting agreed to the increase in the areas of the allotted vending slots, acceding that the same would address concerns on overcrowding, especially in the light of the implementation of minimum public health standards that are continuously being enforced.
The order stated that an increase in the vending fees is proper considering the expansion of the vending area that will be occupied by each of the participating night market vendors.
The night market has been a consistently viable income generating activity and has grown to become a sought-after tourist attraction in the city since the same was put in place through Administrative Order No. 033, series of 2013.
With requests from vendors to increase the number of available vending a lots, the City Treasury Office and the City Mayor’s Office – Public Order and Safety Division have been tasked to propose amendments to existing regulations being implemented to effectively accommodate interested parties who wish to participate in the night market operation to mitigate the effects of the prevailing Corona Virus Disease (COVID) 2019 pandemic on small businesses and other sources of livelihood of the people.
On March 9, 2022, a consultative meeting was held that was attended by night market block leaders and night market task force where the attendees reportedly agreed to increase the night market vending fees from P350 per slot per vendor to P500.
Simultaneous with the expansion of the vending slot from 1.5 by 1.5 meters to 2 by 2 meters. However, the city council
passed Resolution No. 176, series of 2022 requesting the City Treasury Office for a status quo in the increase in weekly night market fees.
Dexter A. See/PIO-Baguio