Market vendors get moratorium

CEBU, Philippines — Some 1,180 stallholders at the Mandaue City Public Market can heave a sigh of relief as the Mandaue City Council has approved during its special session an ordinance granting moratorium on their daily rental fees starting March 30 until lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

Once the ECQ takes effect, the public market remains open daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“The grant of the Moratorium of the daily stall rental fees shall retroact to March 30, 2020. Any payment(s) of stall rental which were made within the period of the Moratorium shall be theretofore considered as advance payment(s) after it shall have been lifted,” read the ordinance sponsored by City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas.

“Ni-file ko sa maong ordinansiya isip alibyo sa atong manindahay sa merkado,” said Lumapas.

Store rentals range from P30 to P100 daily.

Some stallholders selling non-essential goods were no longer allowed to display their products.  The night market was also ordered closed since the start of the month.

Meanwhile, in line with the city’s imposition of the ECQ, all public transports are cancelled.

The city, with the support of the Ceres Bus Liners, is giving free ride to health workers and employees of companies that are exempted under the mayor’s Executive Order on ECQ from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.  GAN (FREEMAN)