The Quezon City government has ordered the closure of three public markets in Balintawak — Cloverleaf Market, MC Market, and Riverview Market II — for not having sanitary and building permits from city hall. Around 300 vendors will be affected by the closure order.
“City market administrator Noel Soliven confirmed that the three markets had been operating without a sewage treatment facility, consumer welfare desk, discharge permit from the Laguna Lake Development Authority, and environmental certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The city government has repeatedly issued notices to the owners of the markets, but no compliance has been made,” reports Janvic Mateo in The Philippine Star.
Soliven stated, “Their lack of compliance (with the requirements imposed by the local government) puts at risk not only the consumers but also the neighboring areas, which are affected by the markets’ discharge of wastes to the waterways.”
The markets may be allowed to reopen upon compliance with the necessary permits.
