Private market owners and operators in Quezon City should consider public-private partnerships to improve their business operations.
During an inter-agency meeting with owners of the city’s 47 private markets at the city hall, Mayor Herbert Bautista said engaging in joint ventures and partnerships will adapt their businesses to present market trends and innovations.
“Quezon City still wants the private markets to operate, but, it will be a losing proposition if their owners will not upgrade and redevelop their facilities,” the Mayor said.
Private market operators and owners must maximize air space and construct multi-level buildings through public-private partnerships, especially by markets that are not earning well. “If markets are no longer viable, their owners should consider re-purposing their use,” said the mayor.
To date, Bautista said, the city government has also plans to engage in joint ventures for the upgrade and development of the city’s public markets, with the exception of the Kamuning and Murphy public markets.
Earlier, the Mayor gave private market owners and operators six months to comply with all the regulatory requirements legitimizing market operations
The mayor gave the order after the City Health Department reported that majority of the private markets in Quezon City are operating without the necessary regulatory permits and certificates, such as health and sanitation permits, business permits, environmental clearances and discharge permits, which are issued by the QC government, Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“Hopefully, we can get their compliance before Christmas,” the mayor said.
According to him, the city’s move is not intended to encourage market owners to close business, but rather, encourage them to improve their businesses. “We just want them to [market owners] feel that we are serious in helping them improve their businesses,” he said