Turnover of Tabunok market stalls set tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines — The Talisay City government is set to award the stalls to the Tabunok Public Market vendors tomorrow, February 20.

City Market Committee Chief Rudelyn Navarro, however, said the members of the Market Vendors Association have yet to decide whether to raffle off the stalls.

She said around 600 market vendors are scheduled for transfer to the new market. They are currently occupying the temporary stalls just outside the new market.

Mayor Eduardo Gullas earlier said he wants to raffle the stalls at the new public market to give all vendors equal opportunity and avoid favoritism.

Through the raffle system, he said, everyone will have the chance of getting the stalls at the front.

But the mayor had a change of heart about the raffle system.

Gullas said vendors who are not delinquent in their payment obligations must be prioritized instead.

"Ni-yield ko nga dili i-raffle duna man say deserving nga karaan. By raffling the stalls off, you penalize them because it’s left to chance," he said.

He said though the decision is still up to the market committee.

Gullas earlier promised that no vendors will be left behind in the distribution of stalls at the new public market as soon as the construction is completed.

He also promised that the vendors will be allowed to return to their old location. (FREEMAN)