Lagtang market vendors warned

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government has warned vendors at the Lagtang Public Market that their unused display tables (tarima) will be rented out to other people.

City administrator Richel Bacaltos said the new public market's 300 tarima sets, table-like structure which is made of angle bars, have renters already, but 30 percent of these are still not being used.

These movable display tables are intended for flowers, fruits, and dried fish; while some use these as extension for their space in the meat section.

Within the week, Bacaltos said they will start sending notices to the vendors of these unused tables, and a seven-day grace period will be given to them to comply with what was stated in their contracts.

He said under the contract, vendors should use their stalls or tarima to sell their wares, and that failure to do so would mean forfeiture of the signed agreement.

According to one of the vendors who shared information with The FREEMAN on condition of anonymity, some of these supposed occupants are now selling at the Nacario Private Market in barangay Tabunok, being the most vantage location.

The rent in this private market may be higher compared to its competitor in barangay Lagtang, but the source said that is nothing to what the vendors will earn in a day from selling in the Nacario market, which is now reportedly getting most of the customers from the closed Tabunok Public Market.

"Naa sila'y tarima diri (Lagtang Public Market), naa sad sila didto sa Nacario. Hato-hato ba," said the Lagtang vendor.

Meanwhile, Bacaltos said the city is set to close the Nacario Public Market, as it is seen to be the reason why the sales in Lagtang is still not catching up.

He said the private market has violated some provisions in the Market Code especially that it has no permit to lease its space.

Last Nov. 3, the city through the recommendation of city legal counsel Owen Algoso has sent a notice to the owner of the Nacario market to close it down, citing its violations.

As of press time, however, the commercial area is still open for business.