City Councilor slams demolition of vendors’ stalls in Carbon market

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City ex-officio Councilor Jessica Resch has aired her gripe over the demolitions of vendors’ stalls and structures in Units 2 and 3 of the Carbon Public Market carried out by the Market Operations Division (MOD) last Sunday.

Resch, who is the president of the city’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation, said she was compelled to reflect on the morality and legality of the said action.

“Although I understand that the actions of the market administrator were made with the apparent blessings of the Executive Department through the City Legal Officer. I ask this, however, is it moral and Christian to carry out such demolitions in this period of public emergency, disaster, and calamity - especially where there has been tremendous loss of livelihood, unforgiving travel and mobility restrictions, mental stress and depression, and even death amongst the affected vendors and their families?” said Resch in a privilege speech before the City Council Wednesday.

“Is it legal and humane for the Market Administrator to carry out the demolition on a Sunday, a day of rest, and by persons who are not in uniforms, or are not even wearing their ID’s or any sort of identification?” she further asked.

Resch said at least 16 vendors were not notified or informed of the demolitions.

In a previous report, the MOD said that they informed the vendors two months before the demolitions and installed tents as a temporary transfer facility for them.

Resch questioned the appropriateness of the demolitions carried out by the MOD.

She said while the war against the virus is ongoing, people are experiencing loss of jobs and incomes.

“Our vendors are members of the informal sector and are protected by the 1987 Constitution under Article 13 on Social Justice and Human Rights…  Let us disabuse ourselves. They are not the scums of the earth. They are not the sector of the kawatan and mangingilad,” she said.

“Mr. Chair, I pray and demand that we should not mischaracterize, misjudge, and demonize this sector. This is uncalled for. Informality is not a crime. It is a legitimate profession deserving of all support regardless of their difficulties to comply with formal requirements… Without them, there is no Carbon,” she added.

Resch said that according to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), forced evictions amid the COVID- 19 pandemic or any other state of emergency are a violation of international human rights law.

After her privilege speech, the council agreed to conduct a Citizen’s Hour on their next regular session, with the CHR invited to discuss the matter of demolition during this time of pandemic.

In addition, Resch moved for Vice Mayor Michael Rama, in his acting capacity as the mayor, to provide guidelines, if possible, for the humane conduct of future demolitions, if warranted.

She also recommended the sanction to the market administrator for “excessive actions”, when warranted.—  KQD (FREEMAN)