Relocated vendors allowed to return to basilica

CEBU, Philippines — Sto. Niño vendors, who were temporarily transferred to Compania Maritima during the Novena Masses for the Fiesta Señor, can already go back to their respective areas tomorrow.

Cebu City Councilor Phillip Zafra said they can return after a reorientation on the basic health protocols to be conducted by the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team.

“For example, ning Zamora (Street), ang ilang stall kinahanglan one meter apart gyud... Ang ilang mga customers, kinahanglan mag-remain gyud nga magsubay sa basic health protocols— face mask, face shield, and physical distancing, kay agianan baya gihapon siya sa mga manud sa Sto. Niño,” said Zafra.

However, those selling and repairing Sto. Niño images along Jakosalem Street are still not allowed to return to their stalls.

“They could still accept repair works, but ilang buhaton, dad-on sa ila or any place nga wa’y tawo nga adto sila mag-repair,” he said.

The vendors who used to sell beside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño have been temporarily relocated to the Compania Maritima building near Cebu City Hall before the start of the Novena on Jan. 7, 2021.

But they reported low sales as only few customers came to visit their stalls.

Meanwhile, Zafra said the barriers surrounding the vicinity of the basilica will be gradually removed after the Hubo Mass on Friday.

“Kay Hubo man sad rong Friday, so we have to condition the minds of the people nga kinahanglan nga dili gyud nato pasudlan usa og sakyanan for now,” said Zafra. — KQD (FREEMAN)