City Hall to launch night market today

CEBU, Philippines — Sidewalk vendors who were affected by the road clearing operations in Cebu City will be given the chance to sell their wares again at the night market solely allocated for them.

Raquel Arce, Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team head, said the night market will be launched today. It will occupy the stretch on Colon Street from City Savings Bank along Osmeña Boulevard down to Gaisano Main at the corner of D. Jakosalem Street.

She said the wares the vendors must sell should be fit for the night market like accessories, sunglasses, and ball caps, to name a few. Those who are selling their services like rubber stamp makers are advised to stay in Tabo sa Banay at P. Gullas Street.

Sidewalk vendors in Colon Street and Osmeña Boulevard were earlier relocated to Tabo sa Banay. The affected vendors had been asking the city government to let them sell again in a regulated manner because they cannot regularly earn for a living, even in their relocation areas, after the implementation of the road clearing operations.

On Tuesday, November 12, the City Council passed a resolution sponsored by Councilor Alvin Dizon to address the concerns of the sidewalk vendors. The resolution requested Mayor Edgardo Labella to formulate a rights-based, comprehensive and long-term strategy for the development of the city's vendors.

Labella was also asked to come up with a strategy that shall take into primordial consideration hard data on the socio-economic situation of vendors and multi-stakeholders participation at all levels of decision-making consistent with their vision of a truly inclusive city.

And lastly, requested Labella to extend financial and livelihood assistance to displaced vendors who are in difficult economic situation.  FPL (FREEMAN)