Market leessees reminded on contract renewal, rental obligations

The City Treasury Office reminded market entrepreneurs on their obligations to renew their lease contracts as well as update payment of their monthly rental fees.

Market superintendent Ceasar Emilio said the office upon approval by City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias has begun issuing first notices to those who failed to renew their lease contracts.

Demand letters were also sent to those with monthly rental delinquencies. Those who will fail to comply will be subjected to penalties. As per the city’s Tax Ordinance, failure to renew the contract for two consecutive years can be a ground for annulment of the lease agreement while failure to pay rental fees for two consecutive months can lead to cancellation of the certificate of award.

Emilio said they expect those notified of their non-renewal of contracts and non-payment of their rental arrears to comply this July.

By August, the office will again consolidate the list and those who will fail to renew will be issued second notices. After this due process, lease contracts that will remain unrenewed and certificates of award of those with unpaid lease rentals will be recommended for cancellation to the Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA).

As of June 16, the office has issued demand letters to 542 delinquent vendors but only 23 have so far complied.

For contract renewal, 274 entrepreneurs had been issued notices to comply. – Aileen P. Refuerzo