Naga SP okays Night Market ordinance

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By ANA-LIZA S. MACATANGAY

NAGA CITY – Local businessmen and small entrepreneurs lauded the Night Market Ordinance authored by City Councilor Maria Elizabeth Q. Lavadia when Sangguniang Panlunsod approved it on February 11, this year.

The Ordinance aims to give entrepreneurs a wide opportunity to expose their goods and sell their products to their target clienteles. It also aims to give small and medium enterprises a fair chance to have sufficient venues where they can have additional provision for earnings, just like Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating during regular hours in the morning.

Lavadia who is also the Committee on Market Affairs Chairman pushed for the said ordinance after learning that per records of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), MSMEs contributes almost 61 per cent of the total jobs generated by all types of business establishments in 2011.

“This figure translates to about Php 3,872,406 new employment opportunities created in 2011 as against 2,473,336 new jobs coming from big corporations during the same year. MSMEs also accounted for about 99 per cent of the registered businesses in the country,” Lavadia stated.

The Lady Councilor further said that the said figures are highly illustrative of the vital role of the MSMEs in the inclusive socio-economic development of our country.

“This opportunity is being taken advantage of the less privileged sector of our society, giving them a chance to contribute their skills while engaging their participation in the lively economic atmosphere of Naga City. This is a great news for our constituents,” Lavadia added.

The night market will commence at 7:00pm and will cease business transactions at 2:00am, giving market goers six (6) hours to buy their needed wares and goods.

The Ordinance includes provision on stall assignments and maximum area for occupancy. Occupants, who are just allowed to rent a maximum of five (5) square or 2.5x2.5 meter-stall, should be committed to sell their goods during all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays within the period specified in the contract.

Designated initial area for selling is the General Luna street, starting from Corner Benito Commercial Building to Corner Eurotel Hotel, just across the Naga City People’s Mall in the downtown area of the city. The said street will be closed to traffic for the entire duration of the Night Market and on the stipulated days.

The ordinance further states that occupants can only install and display their goods and other market paraphernalia within their designated area. No goods shall be put in display along the streets, road right of ways and any government sites.

Lavadia believes that the establishment of Night market in Naga City will positively result to the generation of more employment for the poor and the needy.