City to clear remaining Taboan stalls

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government is bent on clearing the Tabo-an Public Market stalls of  San Nicolas-Proper Barangay Captain Abraham Desamparado despite his refusal to vacate the place.

But Market Administrator Raquel Arce invited Desamparado and another stall owner, Maritess Mercado, before the demolition.

The city allocated P8 million for the renovation of the old market stalls  but the eight modules occupied by both Desamparado and Mercado remain untouched because they refused to abandon them.

Desamparado and Mercado even sought the help of the court to prevent the City from destroying their stalls.

But Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Raphael Yrastorza denied their petition asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order.

The court’s decision prompted Arce to decide to clear the concerned market stalls to give way to the construction of new modules.

But Mayor Michael Rama advised Arce to have a final talk with the concerned vendors.

Arce said she does not know why Desamparado and Mercado were able to acquire multiple modules when there is a policy that each vendor is only entitled to one market stall.

The records of the Market Operations Division showed that the market stalls are listed under different persons although they could be just dummies.

“Klaro man kaayo nga usa ra ang tag-iya sa lima ka tindahan nga iya ni Desamparado kay usa ra man ang cashier,” Arce told The Freeman.  (FREEMAN)