Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard Chan Jr. explains why the public hearing on the proposed public market stall rates increase is held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. | Futch Anthony Inso
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — The Lapu-Lapu City government has conducted a public hearing for the proposed increase of stall rates at Lapu-Lapu City Public Market in Barangay Poblacion.
In the existing stall rates, the monthly rental for the fish section is P100 per month, plus P10 per bañera and P5 per half bañera; P150 per month plus P0.25 per kilo in the meat section; P200 per month for vegetable section; P200 per month for block tiendas; P200 per month for ground floor section renter; P200 per month in the textile section; P200 per month in the rice and corn section; and P15 per day in the barbeque section.
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Proposed stall rates increase
However, in the proposed new stall rates, the rental fee would increase up to 300 percent from its current rate.
From a monthly rental of P100 in the fish section, the city would collect P150 per day in the primary location exclusive of electricity and water, and P100 per day for the secondary location.
The city would also collect P150 per day in the primary location for the meat section, P100 per day in the secondary location; P150 per day in the primary location of the vegetable section and P100 per day for the secondary location; P200 per day in the primary location of block tiendas and P150 per day for secondary location; P100 per day in the primary location of textile section and P75 per day in its secondary location; P200 per day in the primary location of rice and corn section and P150 per day in its secondary location; and P150 per day for the primary location of “pusoan” section and P100 per day for its secondary location.
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First increase in 21 years
During the public hearing, Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said that this would be the first time that the city would implement an increase in the stall rates after 21 years.
He said that the current stall rate was approved in 2002.
“So ang amo lang pod, dili mi ganahan nga kamo ma-alkanse. Mao nang gipatawag mo sa public hearing kay gusto pod ming makapaminaw ninyo” Chan said.
(What we want is that we don’t want you to suffer losses. That is why we called you to join the public hearing because we want to listen to what you have to say.)
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Where the rate hikes will go
Chan also assured market stall renters that the increase in their rates would not be put to waste and would be used to improve the city’s services, such as constructing infrastructure that would ease the city’s traffic situation, flooding, garbage disposal, medical services, and among others.
However, some of the vendors were hesitant and asked the mayor not to abruptly increase their stall rates.
“Ang among mga puhonan, puro utang. Unya ug pakalitan mi og pasaka sa among abangan, magkalisod gyud mi kay ang among kita, ibayad ra man namo sa among utang,” a vendor said during the public hearing.
(Our capital is borrowed. And if you will abruptly increase our rental rates, then we will find it difficult because our sales will be paid to our loans.)
The city council will consider the suggestions of stall owners to evaluate and deliberate them during their regular sessions.
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