15 November 2005
Dagupan posts P14M collection shortfall
Low collection of stall rentals from new mart is main culprit
THE city government here has registered a collection shortfall of P14 million as of Oct. 31 this year, owing mainly to the low collection of stall rentals from the three-storey public market here.
City Treasurer Romelita Alcantara confirmed the shortfall but clarified that this cannot be considered deficit because the city is spending only what it has collected.
Councilor Michael Fernandez first noted the shortfall in his talk to department heads during the hearing of the proposed P350 million city budget for 2006.
He said he has verified that it is not only from the new public market that registered low collections but also from the implementation of the city’s fishery ordinance covering rivers that were converted as aquaculture areas.
A report said several stallholders, especially those from the second floor of the new market edifice, pulled out from the new public market because they were losing much since only a few buyers are coming in and buying from them.
Other stalls have to be closed down by the city for failure of stallholders to settle their rental delinquencies for several months.
Alcantara said the city avoided a deficit because it adopted belt-tightening measures that saved on cash.
“We have targeted certain amount (as collection) for 2005 but as of this time, we are seeing that we will not be able to realize the whole targeted collection,” she said.
THE city government here has registered a collection shortfall of P14 million as of Oct. 31 this year, owing mainly to the low collection of stall rentals from the three-storey public market here.
City Treasurer Romelita Alcantara confirmed the shortfall but clarified that this cannot be considered deficit because the city is spending only what it has collected.
Councilor Michael Fernandez first noted the shortfall in his talk to department heads during the hearing of the proposed P350 million city budget for 2006.
He said he has verified that it is not only from the new public market that registered low collections but also from the implementation of the city’s fishery ordinance covering rivers that were converted as aquaculture areas.
A report said several stallholders, especially those from the second floor of the new market edifice, pulled out from the new public market because they were losing much since only a few buyers are coming in and buying from them.
Other stalls have to be closed down by the city for failure of stallholders to settle their rental delinquencies for several months.
Alcantara said the city avoided a deficit because it adopted belt-tightening measures that saved on cash.
“We have targeted certain amount (as collection) for 2005 but as of this time, we are seeing that we will not be able to realize the whole targeted collection,” she said.
