Acting Mayor Rama wants meeting with vendors after curfew plaint

CEBU, Philippines — Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he understands the predicament of fish vendors affected by the reimposition of curfew.

With this, the acting mayor wants an online meeting set.

“We recognize their plight, but I want to see them. I wish I can see them virtually,” said Rama.

Rama issued on July 25, 2021 EO 136 reimposing the liquor ban and adjusting the curfew hours in the city to further mitigate unnecessary social gatherings amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

The curfew starts from 10 p.m., instead of 11 p.m., until 4 a.m.

Rama said these measures were put in place to avoid chances of the city being reclassified into the strictest form of quarantine status amid the increasing COVID cases.

Rama said he would ask the vendors how they can help the city in curbing the spread of the virus.

“So that I will ask them the question, asa man mo dapita nga makatabang aron di ta mobalik sa lockdown? Dili ba ninyo maagwanta, dili ba kaya with this curfew nato nga we will do some modification, paradigm shift and still we will be able to operate and still achieve sa purpose nianang grupoha. I am going to bring it to them,” said.

City Market Administrator Irvin Cabales earlier said fish vendors launched a signature campaign to appeal to the city government to give them consideration.

“Ang ato ra gyung pinakaproblema is ang Pasil considering nga ang Pasil Fish Market nato, as early as 1 o'clock or 2 o'clock, naa na gyud na diha. Mao sad na ang pinakakusog nila nga halin. Medyo mao pa sila nakabawi gikan last year,” Cabales earlier said.

Cabales said these vendors’ appeal will be for them to be allowed to sell during curfew hours.

However, he said, it should also be noted that it will a problem for the buyers since the police and other enforcers are instructed to implement the recently issued executive order. — KQD (FREEMAN)