3 ordinances to help Marikina retailers OK’d

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro signed on Thursday three local ordinances to help rice retailers in the city affected by the imposition of a price ceiling on the sale of rice.

Teodoro signed Ordinance 68 Series of 2023, also known as "Ordinance Granting Relief on Rental Payments to Rice Retailers at the Marikina Public Market in the City of Marikina."

"In consideration of the economic challenges due to the said imposition of a price ceiling, rice retailers who are renting stalls in the Marikina City Public Market, are hereby granted relief through the waiver of rental payments for the months of September and October, 2023," the measure stated.

The ordinance said that Marikina City recognizes the essential role of rice retailers in ensuring the availability of affordable rice to its residents and thus, it is incumbent upon it to address the economic impact of price ceiling on rice retailers by providing relief payment on their rentals in the Marikina Public Market in order to alleviate their financial burden.

The local chief executive also signed Ordinance No. 69 Series of 2023, known as the "Ordinance Granting Relief on Business Tax Payment to Rice Retailers in the City of Marikina."

"The purpose of this ordinance is to grant tax relief to rice retailers within the jurisdiction of Marikina City who have been adversely affected by the imposition of a price cap or ceiling on rice," the measure read.

Under the ordinance, rice retailers operating within Marikina shall be exempted from paying business taxes on their gross sales or receipts for the third and fourth quarter of this year, during which the price cap is imposed.

Rice retailers eligible for the tax relief are those in the wet markets, public markets, and other areas accessible to the general public, including sari-sari stores that are actually selling rice, it stated.

It noted that the grant of tax relief does not cover supermarkets and convenience stores.

Lastly, Teodoro signed Ordinance 70, Series of 2023 entitled "Ordinance Granting Cash Assistance to Rice Retailers in the City of Marikina."

The measure stated that the city government recognizes that rice retailers are partners in delivering food services to the people, and that they should be protected and assisted during economic difficulties.

The duty of the City Government of Marikina to address the adverse economic impact of the price ceiling on rice retailers by extending financial assistance to mitigate and cushion the impact of the price cap, it added.

The ordinance further stated: "To provide immediate financial relief to rice retailers affected by the price ceiling on rice, the City Government of Marikina shall extend cash assistance in the amount of P5,000 to each eligible rice retailer."

According to the measure, rice retailers in wet markets, public markets, and other areas accessible to the general public, including sari-sari stores that are actually selling rice, operating within Marikina as of effective date of the ordinance are eligible to receive the cash aid.

It noted that the grant of cash assistance does not cover supermarkets and convenience stores.

After the signing of the three ordinances, Teodoro oversaw the distribution of the P15,000 financial assistance to eligible rice retailers led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.