Metro Briefs

3 Balintawak markets closed for safety, sanitation violations

THREE privately operated markets in the Balintawak area were ordered shut by the Quezon City government 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 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 and some merchandise did not indicate expiry dates, among other findings.

In addition, 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 law,” city administrator Aldrin Cuña said in the press briefing.

According to Soliven, eight city-run markets had already submitted their development plans and the city government was seeking the upgrade of 43 private markets.

The three markets ordered shut were among the eight Balintawak markets marked for closure in September last year. Soliven said the other markets had complied with the requirements set by the city government.

Regina Samson, head of the city’s communications coordination center, said that since House 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 [be connected 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 a tie-up with investors,” Samson said. Erika Sauler

Man loses foot, toes to train

A MAN lost his right foot and all the toes on his left foot after he was hit by a Philippine National Railways (PNR) train on Tuesday morning near the Buendia Station in Makati City.

Jun Lausa, a 40-year-old homeless man, was reportedly walking on the railroad tracks when the train passed by the corner of Dela Rosa Street and Osmeña Highway around 6 p.m.

The initial report from PNR Buendia Station supervisor Renato Bismonte said that Lausa managed to drag himself to the side of the road while a rescue team took him to the Ospital ng Makati where he received treatment. Maricar B. Brizuela