THE city’s average daily revenues from arrival fees or “kwartais” in the Baguio City public market have more than doubled, following a recent August revision of the market fee schemes after irregularities were found.
Records from the City Treasury Office showed that the average revenues under the new collection system increased to P74,259 from the P36,018.10 average collection under the old system.
Under the previous system, collectors would go to merchants to collect the fees. Under the new scheme, merchants are instead not allowed to go in and unload goods without going through assessment and paying their fees.
Previously, vendors were able to slip under the collections system and not pay their fees, or pay insufficient amounts.
More improvements are expected as the new schemes are refined and further strengthened, with plans in place to cover remaining entry points and force merchants to undergo assessment and payments.
Under the new procedures, drivers of the cargo vehicles are now required to submit goods declaration forms stating in detail the contents and number of items of their delivery upon arrival. Without said form, the vehicle will not be allowed to unload its cargo and will be asked to leave the premises. No goods will also be unloaded until arrival fees have been paid.
The Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) then inspects the items to confirm that they are the same as listed on the forms. Repeatedly incorrect declarations of items will be grounds for increased fees or a ban on unloading cargo.
