Zamboanga City padlocks 31 Sta. Cruz market stalls for repeated violations

JOINT personnel from the City Hall and the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) padlocked 31 stalls on Friday, August 15, at the Sta. Cruz Market due to non-compliance with market regulations.

The City Hall Public Information Office (PIO) said the violations include operating without business permit and failure to pay required licenses, taxes, fees, and other charges, despite repeated warnings.

The closured order is pursuant to Ordinance 2008-148 and Sections 3 and 20 of City Ordinance No. 92-008, which require all stallholders to maintain updated permits and settle dues either daily, monthly, quarterly, or annually.

The PIO said that some vendors were found to have unpaid obligations for up to a year.

The operation will continue on Monday, August 18, at the Bagsakan Sta. Cruz Market to cover other stalls with the same violations.

It was emphasized that the issuance of closure orders followed due process, with affected vendors receiving three written notices and a final demand before the implementation.

The regulations are intended to ensure fairness among all stallholders, protect compliant vendors, and maintain orderly market operations.

The enforcement of the closure orders were carried out by personnel from the Business Permits and Licensing Office and City Administrator’s Office and the ZCPO. (SunStar Zamboanga)