EDITORIAL - Rethink the night market extension

After the city government came to a decision, the night market along Colon Street will be held for one more month. At least as of this writing.

It is a decision that seems to be unpopular among Cebuanos, except only for the night market vendors.

"I will give them monthly renewal. We'll have to really observe... Let's find out if they can really (be) compliant with the rules that we spell out. Kung makapadayon ba sila og sunod sa mga lagda. Kay kung dili then we might take another action on that," Labella was quoted as saying.

We can’t help but wonder if the city is choosing to ignore the violations that have long been reported as well as the recommendation by the market administrator. One month should have been enough for the city to find out whether or not the vendors can follow rules, and the night market has been there since last December.

It is unfortunate that the city government reached such a decision. Aside from the night market appearing at night, there is really nothing that makes it special.

The food you find there will be the same food you find all over Cebu’s streets. The products you will find there will be the same products being sold in the Carbon Market and similar places.

Yes, the night market brings food and products closer to some people, but at what price? A good stretch of Colon Street is closed off for a certain time. People waiting for rides to go home have to find their rides somewhere else because public transport has been rerouted, businesses and establishments along Colon Street have to adjust delivery time because the vendors block the street, street cleaners have to contend with the mess the night vendors constantly leave behind.

The fact that the street gets closed just as people leave work and students leave school further complicates the situation.

Yes, the city should find a place for vendors, that much we can agree on. They must always be allowed to continue their livelihood and support their families, but they should not be allowed to take hostage a stretch of a major thoroughfare and at the hours when this thoroughfare is supposed to be busiest. It is just inconvenient to the public.