Vendors without IDs face ban from markets

CEBU, Philippines - If plans push through, vendors who are not accredited by the city government may no longer sell their goods at the city public markets.

Market Administrator Raquel Arce said screening vendors is one way to closely supervise operations at the city markets and ensure that prescribed standards are met.

Among those at risk of losing their City Hall-issued identification cards are vendors who are found using defective weighing scales. Since January this year, the Market Operations Division (MOD) has confiscated 330 defective weighing scales. Arce, however, clarified that the weighing scales were not necessarily found intentionally tampered with to fool customers for the vendors to gain profit.

Vendors are required to secure an ID at City Hall to be allowed to vend at the city markets. Arce announced that even those operating along sidewalks like the vendors along F. Escaño Street will already be issued IDs a few days from now.

“Kining bag-o nga policy nga pasul-ubon g’yud og ID ang mga vendors diha sa public market gitumong usab kini aron pagsiguro sa zero growth sa mga vendors,” Arce explained.

Arce announced further that the Warwicks Barracks is now considered the dirtiest market in the city because of the presence of some unscrupulous individuals who have converted the market as their personal dwelling.

Mayor Michael Rama earlier said he is planning of building a two-storey structure within the area that used to be the barracks of American soldiers. Rama’s plan is to allocate the ground floor exclusively for vending and the second floor for vehicle parking.

Arce also announced that she is eyeing the possibility of closing the public markets during nighttime from 10 pm to 4am although several vendors are reportedly not in favor of the plan.

In a separate development, Rama announced that the city plans to widen the sidewalks of Vicente Rama Avenue from the corner of M. Velez Street going to the Guadalupe Church. He said he will consult with former Guadalupe barangay captain Eugenio “Jingjing” Faelnar in implementing the project.

Asked why he prefers to work with Faelnar instead of current barangay captain Michael Gacasan, Rama said he is simply staying attune with the city’s policy to partner with the private sector in development projects.

“Kay ngano man diay? Dili diay ko maka-hire og mga civilian nga motabang nako nga matuman ang akong proyekto? Kabahin man kini sa akong policy nga Public, Private Partnership,” Rama said.

Gacasan is an ally of Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña who is not in good terms with Rama. — (FREEMAN)