Some 400 stalls at the city-owned Bagsakasan Center were ordered temporarily closed pending their registration and/or renewal of license and business permit from the city government.

DZT gathered that most of the small-time owners and operators of the stalls occupying the Bagsakan Center could not get the required business permit from City Hall due to financial difficulties brought about by slow business at the market these past months.

Only 35 out of the 495 stalls were able to secure mayor’s permit as of January this year.

The Notice of Temporary Closure was issued last month by Assistant City Administrator Elmeir Apolinario.

The said notice printed in bold computerized letters on large white paper is taped in each stall ordered closed by the Office of the City Administrator.

All of the mentioned stalls, which are mostly selling vegetables and other farm produce, are being operated by small entrepreneurs whose meager capital only came from microfinance firms in the city.

“We are now looking for money to be able to pay our business license or mayor’s permit. Many of us will resort to borrowing money from lending companies just to be able to pay for the required mayor’s permit,” a vendor told DZT Thursday night.

She admitted that they have no other recourse but to get the business permit from City Hall in order to be able to continue with their small business in the market.

The business permit cost about P5,000. In addition, each stall occupant paysl P20 fee to the City Treasurer’s Office.

Earlier, City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. warned owners and operators of business establishments including sari-sari stores and eateries who have failed to register or renew their business permit of stiff sanctions like closure if they continue to operate illegally.

Orendain said the campaign against business establishments operating without business license from City Hall is important to further raise the revenue collection of the city.