Cloverleaf market loses bid to stop closure order

A PRIVATE market in Balintawak, Quezon City, has lost its bid to overturn a closure order from the local government.

In a 25-page decision issued on March 29, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 Judge Marilou Runes-Tamang dismissed the petition of Balintawak Cloverleaf Market Corp. (BCMC) asking the court to stop the city government from enforcing a cease and desist order served to the market on Jan. 19.

The Balintawak Cloverleaf Market was ordered closed after it was found to be operating without a building permit, sanitary permit and environmental clearance.

The city government also found out that the private market had failed to build a sewage treatment plant; had inadequate water supply, lighting and ventilation; unsanitary toilets; inadequate and faulty drainage; and improper waste disposal, among others.

In a 17-page petition filed in Jan. 25, Balintawak Cloverleaf Market Corp. president Rodolfo de Guzman Sr. alleged that the city government acted with grave abuse and discretion in ordering the closure of the market, and that the corporation was denied due process. He  claimed that BCMC had complied with all regulations.

But the judge belied De Guzman’s accusations.

“True, there was compliance by petitioner in effecting repairs in the Balintawak market in answer to the demand of the respondents to correct… the structural defect in the subject building…. But this compliance appears to be mere icing on the cake…. Unfortunately, petitioner still has not procured the major permits necessary to continue operation” such as the sanitary permit, the judge noted.