Night market vendors told: Follow rules or face ban

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Night Bazaar vendors who failed to comply with the City Market Authority’s directive to maintain the cleanliness of their areas may be banned from the night market.

City Market Authority head Jonil Matuguina said he will recommend this to Mayor Edgardo Labella after some complaints surfaced that Colon Street, where the night market is situated, is full of garbage after its scheduled operation.

“We have not been remiss in reminding the vendors to clean their respective areas,” said Matuguina.

Matuguina said the vendors assured them that they will maintain the cleanliness in their areas to also help the Department of Public Services personnel deployed in the night market.

However, some still failed to fulfill their promise of tidying up.

Matuguina said vendors have to see to it that cleanliness and proper sanitation are observed in their respective areas, otherwise the privilege of vending at the night market might be taken away from them.

"Ang uban di gyud kasabot. Gitagaan na og pribelihiyo nga makabaligya pero magpabadlong gihapon," he said.

Matuguina also mentioned that the vendors are required to have garbage bins, and every night the city government personnel monitor them.

"Dapat mosunod gyud sila sa lagda sa night market. Kung dili sila motuman, ato silang papahawaon. Naa pa may daghang nagpaabot pud. Naay daghang ganahan mosulod," he said.

Matuguina said that as what Mayor Edgardo Labella announced, the night market is still probationary until January 2020 for the Sinulog festivities.

After January, it will be assessed if its operation should be continued or stopped.

On the other hand, Matuguina said the five night market vendors, who were confirmed of selling their spots, were already suspended.

To recall, Labella tasked the City Legal Office to investigate into the reported selling of night market spots amounting from P5, 000 to P20, 000.

"The recommendation is to ban perpetually these vendors who took advantage with the privilege being granted by the city government," said Matuguina.

"Only three vendors appeared before us and two did not, so we had to render judgment based on the facts we had gathered," he added. /KQD (FREEMAN)