Getting the best value for your peso's worth pushes the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to embark on the program 'Pamilihan ng Lalawigan' contest to ensure that public market places in the country adhere to fair trade laws with the basic aim of protecting the rights of consumers.
In Cebu, only 12 out of 56 public markets qualify for the program. Criteria include the use of price tags, price board, common weighing scale, consumer welfare desks, clean market surroundings and the existence of a vendor's association and market administrator.
DTI-Cebu Province provincial director Nelia Navarro in a Kapihan sa PIA this morning identified the 12 public markets in Bogo, Carmen, Danao City, Liloan, Consolacion in the north and Carcar, Minglanilla, Talisay City, Pardo in the south and Lapulapu City and Cordova and Carbon Market in Cebu City.
Navarro said the contest is the first time being conducted as the DTI hopes that this will propel local government units to give importance to the rights of consumers as the value of the peso today is diminishing.
Consumer rights mentioned include the right to information, the right to choose (by having price tags and price board), the right to redress (by placing consumer welfare desks to address complaints) and the right to safety (safe meat, rice & products sold) for public health concerns.
The DTI-Cebu started its round of inspection of public market places in the province as the contest began last month while the announcement of the provincial winner will be done by September.
The winner in Cebu will compete in the regional level and likewise, the top contender in Central Visayas will represent the region in the national contest.
Navarro said that out of the 56 public markets in the province, 45 have market administrators and only 12 have vendors' association. Except for Lapulapu, Mandaue, Consolacion, Minglanilla, Carbon, Pasil and Ramos markets, most public markets have designated a market day that usually falls on a Sunday or Thursday.
The land area of public markets ranges from 300 sq. m. to two hectares while the number of stalls varies from 25 to over 1,000.
The robustness of business activities however, is not dependent on the size of the market, Navarro claimed.Under the Local Government Code, the local government units are mandated to provide the structure for a public market in their area of jurisdiction for the sake of public welfare.
As an economic enterprise, public markets provide a source of income for the LGUs through store rentals.
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