Combined personnel from the City Hall and the Zamboanga City Police Office on Friday, August 15, padlocked 31 stalls at the Sta. Cruz Market due to non-compliance with market regulations, including operating without business permit and failure to pay required licenses, taxes, fees, and other charges, despite repeated warnings.

The enforcement of the closure orders, carried out by personnel from the Business Permits and Licensing Office and City Administrator’s Office and the police 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.

Some vendors were found to have unpaid obligations for up to a year.

The operation will continue on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Bagsakan Sta. Cruz Market to cover other stalls with the same violations.

Enforcers 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 enforcers reiterated that the regulations are intended to ensure fairness among all stallholders, protect compliant vendors, and maintain orderly market operations. (Sheyn Arambala) (photo credits: Albert Atilano)