3 Balintawak markets shut down for sanitation, safety violations

MANILA, Philippines — Three privately operated markets in Balintawak were ordered shut by the Quezon City government on Tuesday, for various sanitation and safety violations.

Noel Soliven, head of the city’s market development and administration department, said cease and desist orders were served on Tuesday to Cloverleaf Market, MC Market, and Riverview Market II in view of their “continued failure, despite several notices, to comply with the requirements for the operation of a public market.”

The inspection report of the city health department showed that the markets were infested with cockroaches, frozen goods were displayed at room temperature, some merchandise did not indicate expiry dates, among other findings.

The markets had no sanitary and building permits, fire, locational and environmental clearances, and sewage treatment facilities.

“These markets are old. They have to cope with the changing times. This is not for the purpose of harassing them. This is just to ensure that we are following the laws,” city administrator Aldrin Cuña said in the press briefing.

Soliven said eight city-run markets had already submitted their development plans and the city government has started seeking the upgrade of 43 private markets.

The three markets ordered shut were among the eight Balintawak markets marked for closure in September 2015. Soliven said the other markets had complied with the requirements.

Regina Samson, head of the city’s communications coordination center, said that since Speaker Sonny Belmonte’s term as mayor, the Balintawak markets had been “made aware that it’s a productive area with very good potential.”

“The Skyway will really access directly to the Balintawak area. So we’ve been telling them that you can maximize the value of the property if you upgrade. So far, I think, one by one they are making decisions on their own to have tie-up with investors,” Samson said.  SFM