Labella extends night market anew

CEBU, Philippines — Despite several violations and against the recommendation of the market administrator, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has extended for another month the night market bazaar on Colon Street in downtown area.

Labella said the operations in the night market will continue for the month of March.

"I will give them (vendors) 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," said Labella.

He assured that the city government is currently finding ways to provide the night market vendors a place and not compromising the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to clear the roads of obstructions.

This is the second time Labella extended the night market, which started in December in time for Christmas. It was supposed to end on January 31 but he extended it for the month of February.

In a previous statement, Labella said the vendors went to his office to appeal his decision and promised to follow the rules.

Meanwhile, City Market Administrator Jonil Matuguina said he is firm in his recommendation the closure of the night market.

Matuguina earlier recommended to end the night market owing to complaints and violations that reached his office, including some vendors allegedly selling their spots for as high as P20,000.

"Malooy man gud siya (Labella)... Nagkita mi together with the vendors. Didto ko nag-recommend niya na it's time to stop unya iya man sad gipamati ang mga vendors," said Matuguina.

Matuguina also disclosed that he will talk to Labella once he gets back from Manila after he found out that another set of night market vendors have committed violations.

"Last night (Wednesday), we caught six vendors who have fake IDs, gi-photocopy ra. There are also vendors occupying slots nga dili ilaha," he said.

"They were told by my staff for a meeting today (yesterday), wa pa gyuy nitunga bisag usa. Nagpaabot mi," he added.

Matuguina said they called these vendors for a meeting to hear their side, but if they will be proven to be at fault they will be banned from the night market. He said since the night market was implemented in December, the violations committed are just being repeated.

"We cannot tolerate them," said Matuguina.  FPL (FREEMAN)