Market admin doesn't believe talks on vendors' complaint

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Market Administrator Raquel Arce is scheduled to appear before the City Council in its executive session at 10 a.m. today to explain why she wants to transfer the ambulant dried fish vendors in Taboan Public Market from their present locations to the vacant stalls inside the market building.

This, after San Nicolas-Proper Barangay Captain Abraham Desamparado wrote the city legislators and requested that Arce be summoned to explain why she wants to transfer the dried fish vendors.

“Motambong ko sa executive session kay malipay ko nga masayod ang mga konsehal kon unsay akong gihimo pagpahapsay sa atong merkado, (I will attend the executive session because I would be happy to let the council know what I did to improve our market.)” Arce told The FREEMAN and added that she did not believe that the vendors are complaining against her.

According to Arce, she decided to transfer the ambulant dried fish vendors who do not have their own structures since there are dozens of concrete stalls inside the Taboan Public Market that remain vacant.

Arce said the old module along Lakandula Street has been destroyed already and will be used as the main entrance of the public market.

“Dili ko motoo nga mireklamo ang mga tindera’g buwad kay kon mahuman na ang paghimo sa entrance sa merkado sila pa gani ang makabentaha kay anaa man sila mahimutang sa atubangan, (I don’t believe that the dried fish vendors are complaining because once the market entrance is finished, it will be advantageous to them because they are at the front part of the market.)” the market administrator said.

At present, the vacant concrete stalls are being used as resting place of homeless families or individuals that usually sleep inside the market at night.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said the City Council decided to quickly attend to the issue to thresh out possible solutions.

The City Council have approved the budget for the fencing of the Taboan Public Market and for its renovation, particularly the repair of the market’s iron accordion doors. — (FREEMAN)