Night market extension eyed

CEBU, Philippines —  With the positive feedback about the Colon Night Market, which opened this week, organizer Maria Pino said they would lobby that it gets extended until the Sinulog Festival celebration.

For now, the night market is just from Nov. 16 to Dec. 30.

"Hopefully, kung maayo lang gyud ang dagan, we can have another extension, until Sinulog," Pino said.

"Ato sa tan-awon ang sitwasyon kay basin naay magsamok-samok, basin naay mga problema," she added.

She admitted that she was hesitant at first to open the Colon Night Market, doubting its feasibility, because there have been a lot of stores with similar concepts that have opened around the city.

"Di man parehas sa sinugdanan nga bag-o pa kaayo, fresh pa kaayo, nya ang mga tawo mora'g nabag-ohan, daghang mga tawo sa Colon," she said.

"Pero as of now nakita nako nga ang mga tawo baga gihapon; puno-puno gyud," she added.

And while she could not yet give definite figures, as they are still consolidating the reports, Pino said the generated revenue was "so far so good".

For this year, instead of occupying the usual portion of Colon Street, the night market also occupies a portion of Junquera St.

"Kay nganong giliko nato sa Junquera? Tungod sa programa sa atong mayor na ang 'Chibogan'," Pino said.

Aside from extending until the Sinulog, another wish of hers is for the end of controversies hounding the night market.

Just recently, somebody wrote the City Council alleging the selling of vending spaces inside the night market.

Pino requested the sender to come forward and substantiate the claim with evidences, so she has basis to block the alleged person from conducting business during the night market.

"Daghan na kaayong moapil. Ilang mga anak, ilang mga apo, ilang mga igsuon, gusto nilang makasulod, nga og di nila mahatagan, kung di ma-acommodate, mao nang maghimo na sila'g katarungan," she said.

Despite this, Pino said she was hopeful to sustain the night market in Colon St. until such time that it can be transferred to the South Road Properties (SRP) in time for the Sinulog 2024. /RHM (CEBU NEWS)