Market exec: Close night bazaar

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Market Administrator Jonil Matuguina is firm in his recommendation to stop the city’s Night Market Bazaar.

This after Mayor Edgardo Labella said he needs to hear the side of the stakeholders first before making a decision whether to stop or continue the operations on the night market.

Labella earlier announced that the night market is still probationary until January 2020 for the Sinulog festivities. The nightly stalls along Colon Street are only good to stay until today, January 31.

“Di siya (Labella) gusto mo-decide nga one-sided lang... Paabot lang ta sa iyang final decision,” said Matuguina. "Huwat lang sa daw siya nga maistorya niya ang vendors personally.”

The mayor said more discussions are needed to find out if the operation of the night market is proper.

“I will have to discuss with Jonil because I was told that there were some violations, there were some rules that were not followed,” said Labella.

“If it shall have been proven by the market administrator that violations were made... we cannot tolerate that. We've given them the opportunity. We've given them the chance. We've given them the privilege,” he added.

Labella said if the vendors, indeed, violated the privilege, conditions, and regulations that were spelled out to them, he might be forced to put an end to the night market.

To recall, Matuguina said his recommendation was based on the complaints and violations that reached his office.

“Nanghagit gyud ang ubang vendors diha. Nangayo na gani kog mga pangalan nila para matangtang sila didto sa night bazaar,” Matuguina earlier said.

He said the Office of the Market Administrator received many complaints from stakeholders and from the public in general.

For one, the businesses at the area of the night market downtown have complained that they found it hard to bring their stocks into and out of their stores, which reportedly dissatisfied customers.

Because roads have to be closed to accommodate the night market, commuters are also affected, especially the students.

Matuguina said some night market vendors cannot maintain the cleanliness of their areas, violate the no smoking policy, and still allegedly sell their spots.

Last month, it was reported that some vendors sold their spot at the night market at P5,000 and up to P20,000.

The Cebu City Night Market Bazaar was launched in December last year by the city government to give the displaced sidewalk vendors the privilege to sell their wares again.  JMD (FREEMAN)