Starting Saturday, August 16, 2025, the city government will strictly enforce the new operating hours of 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the main public market as part of its drive to promote order, ensure safety, and improve revenue collection.
Under the directive, combined personnel from the City Administrator’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office, and Internal Audit will be deployed at the two designated entrances of the market—J.S. Alano Street (main entrance) and Don Pablo Lorenzo Street (fish brokers’ entrance). The exit gate will be located beside the Sunken Garden area.
Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Mayor, Celso Lobregat, explained that the City Administrator’s Office will conduct an inventory of products brought into the market, while the City Treasurer’s Office will be in charge of collecting fees. The Internal Audit, meanwhile, will ensure that all procedures comply with Ordinance 2012-165, the city’s amended market ordinance.
Lobregat said the enforcement will initially be carried out for 45 days to establish a benchmark in market collection and to ensure full compliance with existing rules. He emphasized that the measures are part of Mayor Khymer Olaso’s continuing efforts to improve market operations, sustain local economic activity, and promote law and order in the city’s commercial hub.
On Friday morning, Lobregat met with City Treasurer Romelita Candido, Executive Assistant on Market Affairs Ret. BGen. Demy Tejares, representatives from the Market Superintendent’s Office, Internal Audit, and other concerned agencies to finalize the implementation plan and adopt urgent measures to strengthen market operations.
“These actions reflect the city’s commitment to improve revenue collection, maintain discipline, and ensure the safety and sustainability of the local economy,” Lobregat added.