CESET: Night market violators dwindling

CEBU, Philippines — The number of people violating the anti-littering ordinance at the night market on Colon Street in downtown Cebu City has been dwindling over the past weeks. 

This was observed by the Cebu City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team (CESET) personnel monitoring the market every night.

CESET chief Grace Luardo said that they used to apprehend 40 to 60 violators every night during the first few days of the night market. The number has declined as the days go by.

At present, Luardo said, CESET personnel would apprehend an average of not more than 10 violators per night.

According to Luardo, her team along with their deputized agents is doing frequent roving in that area.

"Kinahanglan gyud  nga magtinabangay ang tanan  aron mamintinar ang kalimpyo sa night market . Palihog lang, dili ta manigarilyo sa market ug dili pud ta magpataka og luwa ug labay sa basura," said Luardo.

The local government has already ensured that apart from maintaining the cleanliness of the area, it is also necessary to maintain the proper food handling in the Colon Night Market.

Luardo said representatives of the City Health Department are conducting regular inspection on all food stalls in the market. The night market starts at 6 in the evening and ends at 2 in the morning.

It is said that the right discipline of the people should prevail in order to achieve Mayor Michael Rama’s Singapore-like vision. The record shows that the night market has 340 exhibitors and 130 food stalls.

Among its goals is to help vendors and make their products known to the public.  — FPL (FREEMAN)