Warwick Barracks vendors want to ply wares anytime

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the Warwick Barracks Stall Owners and Livelihood Association have appealed to the Cebu City government to let them sell temporarily in Sitio Warwick Barracks, Barangay Ermita any time while waiting for the infrastructure project that the city aims to build in the area.

The Office of the Market Administration has earlier assured them that they could sell there from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

However, Perla Eraya, WABSOALAI, INC president, said they earn less during these hours.

“Unfortunately, after trying to abide by the scheme for several months, we were unable to survive; instead, most of us have gone bankrupt,” she said.

They hope that they would also be allowed to ply their wares during the day, when there are more customers.   In a letter to City Councilor Alvin Arcilla, WABSOALAI, INC requested the City Council to pass a measure stating that a portion of the Warwick Barracks lot may be assigned to the Warwick Barracks fire victims.

The organization proposed that it manage the lot in collaboration with the market administrator and the City Council committee on market, which Arcilla heads.

The association has gathered 99 signatures of the fire victims in support of the request.

The lot, which was cleared after it was hit by fire in January, is currently being used as a parking lot while the city is waiting for possible investors to develop the area.

July this year, Hong Kong investors withdrew their proposal to build a four-story mall in the area.

Despite the city’s plan, however, Eraya said they are still not giving up on their request that the area would be integrated with Carbon Public Market.

“After the fire and after… transfer(ring)  from one holding area to another, we have yet to go back to our normal lives,” she said.

After the fire destroyed their stalls, which also doubled as their homes, some victims stayed in Barangay Budlaan, Cebu City; while others either went to nearby Talisay City or lived with relatives in other parts of Cebu City.  (FREEMAN)