Lawyer says political will needed to move fish market

CEBU, Philippines – The private sector representative in the Cebu City Market Authority believes Mayor Michael Rama should demolish the structures encroaching Tupas Street leading to the Pasil Fish Port if Rama is serious of transferring the fish market there.

Romulo Senining, lawyer of several fish dealers operating at the fish market, said transferring the market to the former Pasil Fish Port would be beneficial because the area is wider compared to the market's current location.

Days after he was elected into office, Rama announced his plan to demolish the existing Pasil Fish market along Tupas Street in front of the San Nicolas Church and convert the place into a public plaza and as a tourist attraction.

Rama said the vendors occupying the fish market do not have to worry because they will be transferred to the fish port, which the city will reportedly renovate.

Senining said Rama's plan needs political will from top city officials because it will entail restoring the six-meter-wide road, particularly the ones situated beside the existing fish market, towards the area where the fish port is located.

When this happens, several houses will be affected, including those built in concrete. 

Until now, the Pasil Fish Port that was constructed over 20 years ago with financial aid from the Belgian government is being occupied by the illegal settlers, some of them even tapping on electrical posts for power.

Rama earlier instructed Suba barangay captain Joel Sable and Sawang Calero barangay captain Benjamin Zabate to let the squatters presently occupying the fish port to vacate the place.

Abadita Maranga, president of the Pasil Fish Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative, asked the Market Authority to repair the dilapidated roof of the fish market while Rama's plan remains on hold.

"It has become a joke among the vendors and to our faithful customers that the roof of the Pasil Fish Market leaks, but the good thing about it is that it will only leak during a downpour," she said.

Market administrator Raquel Arce agrees the roof of the fish market needs to be replaced.

"Ako mauwaw na g'yud moanha sa Pasil tungod sa maong kondisyon sa merkado," Arce said.

Councilor Raul Alcoseba, chairman of the City Council's committee on market and abattoir, has recommended that Maranga's letter be forwarded to Councilor Jose Daluz III, chairman of the committee on budget and finance, for appropriate action. (FREEMAN)