The city government of Manila led by Mayor Joseph Estrada stands by its decision to impose a new rate of rental fees at the modernized Quinta Market in Quiapo, saying it is a “win-win” solution for both the private developer and the stallholders.
In a report to Estrada, City Administrator Ericson Alcovendaz stressed that the new schedule of fees was duly voted upon by members of the Quinta Market governing committee during a meeting last Monday.
“There were suggestions by the vendors association and the private developer as to how much the daily rental fee would be. And the developers’ suggested rate ultimately won in the voting, 4-1,” Alcovendaz said.
“I think, this is a win-win solution,” he pointed out, explaining it will be both beneficial to the vendors, stallholders and the market developer, Marketlife Management and Leasing Corp., and even to the city government.
Headed by Alcovendaz, the governing committee is composed of two representatives from Marketlife, Quinta Market supervisor Marjorie Yebra, and Arnold Chicco, president of the 289-member Quinta Market Vendors Association Cooperative Development.
The new daily rental fees the vendors must pay start from P30, P50, and P80 per square meter, depending on the classification and location of the market space or stalls, Alcovendaz said. The stallholders proposed the old rate of P15 per square meter.
Marketlife even suggested a higher rate of P40, P60, and P100 but later agreed to lower it, Alcovendaz said.
Admittedly, Alcovendaz said, the rental fees at Quinta Market are higher compared to those being collected at four other newly renovated public markets in the city.
“But unlike the other newly renovated markets, such as San Andres and Sta. Ana markets, this [Quinta Market] is completely new. It’s a new construction,” he explained.
Several individuals identifying themselves as vendors and stallholders at Quinta are up in arms over the new fees, complaining they are too high. Besides, “illegal vendors” outside the market affect their sales, they averred.
To address this concern, Alcovendaz said Estrada has given strict instructions to remove those illegal vendors outside the Quinta Market.
“This is difficult. The mayor will have to strike a balance here. Why? Because we cannot offer the illegal vendors livelihood,” Alcovendaz said. “We made the market beautiful, then you compete unfairly with the legitimate vendors who pay taxes.”
Estrada inaugurated the new Quinta Market during his 80th birthday on April 19. This is the latest public market in the city to undergo complete reconstruction.
Located on Carlos Palanca Street near the Pasig River, the old Quinta Market was a popular landmark of the Quiapo district, but its dilapidated state prompted the city government to have it renovated and modernized. Estrada signed a joint venture agreement with Marketlife for this project.
Like the four renovated markets, Quinta Market now has modern wet and dry sections and stalls, airconditioned restrooms, a food court, fast food restaurants, security cameras, and even free Wi-Fi connections, according to City Engineer Rogelio Legazpi.
The building’s second floor is the parking area for customers.
Also, part of the P150-million rehabilitation of Quinta Market is the planned construction of a fish port nearby, and later a ferry terminal that will serve fish traders and barges from various locations, especially Navotas, that will be bringing in fresh goods.
The construction of the ferry terminal is a joint effort by the city government of Manila and the Philippine Ports Authority as part of the latter’s plan to fully revive the passenger ferry service along the Pasig River.