CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City market administrator Raquel Arce is worried that the Taboan Public Market may soon become another "red light" district in the city.
Arce said she received reports that young female children of illegal occupants of the market that are engaged in prostitution.
"Ang akong mga sakop sa market task force maoy mitug-an nako. Ang uban kuno sa maong mga batan-on modawat ra'g singkwenta pesos," Arce said when asked by The FREEMAN where did she get the information.
"Gikuyawan ko nga kun dili kini matagad dayon basin og moabut ang higayon nga kining Taboan market mahimong sunod nga Kamagayan red light district," she said.
Some youths in the area told The FREEMAN that some of the girls at the market can be hired for sex.
"Kun magkasabot mo Sir dunay mosugot ana nila nga makig-date," a male youth said.
Market chief Lucino Calvo said there are close to 100 families and other individuals living at the dilapidated market.
City administrator Jose Mari Poblete suggested that the next operation against vagrant children will be at the Taboan market.
Arce has been recommending for the clearing of illegal structures at the market to drive away the illegal occupants.
When The FREEMAN went to the market yesterday, it observed some illegal occupants still living at the passageways of the buildings.
"Kun palayason mi nila dinhi asa man kami nila papuy-a," said a woman, whose husband works as a "kargador" at the market. (FREEMAN)