WITH the end view to further spur economic, trade and commerce activities here in the city and in order to help alleviate the plight of micro, small, medium scale entrepreneurs a proposed amendatory ordinance has been filed in the city council authored by city councilors Leandro Yangot Jr., Elaine Sembrano and Arthur Allad-iw to amend certain sections of Ordinance Numbered 13, series of 2012 otherwise known as the Trade Fair Ordinance of the city.
As contained in the explanatory note of the said proposed measure the further amendment of the said trade fair ordinance is deemed necessary to augment efforts by the city to assist micro to medium scale entrepreneurs in the disposal of their commercial products and to bolster economic activities in the locality. The proposed amendatory ordinance also pointed out the powers given to every local government unit in accordance with Section 16 of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, whether expressly granted or implied there from, as well as powers necessary, appropriate or incidental for its efficient and effective governance and those which are essential in the promotion of the general welfare, and that the City Council, as the legislative body of the city, shall enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to the said pertinent provisions of the Local government Code and in the proper exercise of the corporate powers of the city as provided for in Section 22 of the said code.
Under the said proposed legislative measure the amendment sought to be made particularly refers to Section 2 of Ordinance Numbered 13, series of 2012 which will amend the period for the conduct of a trade fair which will not exceed fifteen (15) days to the proposal that it will not exceed thirty (30) days, and for the trade fair to be conducted not only in private places but also public places.
Another proposed amendment is to be found in Section 3 of the trade fair ordinance which will provide that twenty percent (20 percent) of the trade fair’s gross income from the holding of trade fairs shall be paid to the City Treasurer and used to support the beautification and cleanliness programs of the City of Baguio.
Also in Section 4 of the trade fair ordinance another amendment is sought to be introduced which is that trade fairs and exhibits that are sponsored and/or organized by a national government agency where the City of Baguio is host LGU shall pay the appropriate special permit fee: provided that all the participants thereof shall pay the special permit fees and other charges.
It can be recalled that Ordinance Numbered 13 series of 2012 allowed trade fairs and exhibits to be conducted only in private places and for a period not exceeding fifteen (15) days. The said ordinance also exempted trade fairs am paying business permit fees when these are sponsored and/or organized by a National Government agency or where the City of Baguio is host LGU.