16 August 2005
Baraan pooh-poohs ‘privatization’ yarn for Malimgas market
THE new modern Malimgas market will continue to operate as a public market contrary to rumors that its second floor will be given to a private group connected to the city mayor which operates a local chain of malls, a City Hall official stressed Wednesday.
City Administrator Rafael Baraan laughed off the allegation saying Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, whose family operates the Magic chain of malls in Pangasinan, is decent enough and will never venture into such idea. Stall occupants at the second floor have asked the city government to reduce the rentals because of poor sales. Some stalls have already been closed, according to reports.
The city administration appeared unperturbed by the exodus of many stallholders. Baraan said persons with business acumen will be given the opportunity to occupy the closed stalls and that’s that.
He claimed that many such businessmen are just waiting in the sidelines.
He said the old practice by some of selling their stall rights to others will no longer be allowed. If the stall owner could no longer operate his stall, the city will jut give it to another, he pointed out.
Dagupan built the new market building thru a P280 million loan with the Land Bank. The building is equipped with an airconditioning facility, an escalator and parking spaces at the third and fourth floors.
Judging from its short operation so far, it appeared the planners missed some crucial marketing points, it was observed. The market started operating early this year.
Meanwhile, the anti-hawking division stepped up its campaign against ambulant vendors.
Market stallowners have complained that the presence of sidewalk vendors is one factor greatly affecting their duly sales.
But Gutierrez, who heads the division, admitted that ambulant vendors again sprouted in the side streets for the past months. The recent acquisition of a new truck to haul goods sold by the sidewalk vendors will help them get rid of hardheaded vendors, he added. (PIA/DOS)
City Administrator Rafael Baraan laughed off the allegation saying Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, whose family operates the Magic chain of malls in Pangasinan, is decent enough and will never venture into such idea. Stall occupants at the second floor have asked the city government to reduce the rentals because of poor sales. Some stalls have already been closed, according to reports.
The city administration appeared unperturbed by the exodus of many stallholders. Baraan said persons with business acumen will be given the opportunity to occupy the closed stalls and that’s that.
He claimed that many such businessmen are just waiting in the sidelines.
He said the old practice by some of selling their stall rights to others will no longer be allowed. If the stall owner could no longer operate his stall, the city will jut give it to another, he pointed out.
Dagupan built the new market building thru a P280 million loan with the Land Bank. The building is equipped with an airconditioning facility, an escalator and parking spaces at the third and fourth floors.
Judging from its short operation so far, it appeared the planners missed some crucial marketing points, it was observed. The market started operating early this year.
Meanwhile, the anti-hawking division stepped up its campaign against ambulant vendors.
Market stallowners have complained that the presence of sidewalk vendors is one factor greatly affecting their duly sales.
But Gutierrez, who heads the division, admitted that ambulant vendors again sprouted in the side streets for the past months. The recent acquisition of a new truck to haul goods sold by the sidewalk vendors will help them get rid of hardheaded vendors, he added. (PIA/DOS)
