Archival balks at closing night market

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival expressed his reluctance on granting the request of the City Council to temporarily close the night market until after the GASA Board convenes.

 He also voiced skepticism toward the GASA Board, citing reports that it has not been remitting stall rental fees to the city government in recent years. “I don’t think nga naa na’y angay i-suspend,” said Archival.

It was reported that the issues and allegations surrounding the Colon Night Market have been escalated to the Cebu City Legal Office, where the Council is seeking an opinion on the legality of the market’s operations and the possible liabilities of the offices and entities involved.

The Council had approved these measures through a resolution filed by Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, in his capacity as chairman of the committee on markets.

Archival, however, does not see the need for the suspension. “Nganong GASA man gyud. Ang mayor has the authority to give actually temporary business permits because these are short terms, nganong i-pwersa ang GASA nga ako pa man i-convene gud,” he said.

The mayor explained that the current operation of the Colon Night Market is covered by special permits, and vendors are paying their rental fees directly to the City Hall. He added that this is a development compared to previous reports that, under the GASA Board’s management, no remittances had been transmitted to the city for a long time.

“N’ya kanang mga tawo nga gitagaan nato’g temporary permits, nagbayad man na sila, ug at the same time ang mga tawo nga naninda nagbayad gihapon og ARKABALA,” said Archival.

The issue concerning the authority of the market came to light after the City Council held an executive session on September 16. During this session, they discussed the operations of the Colon Night Market and discovered that it did not have formal approval from the Gasa sa Gugma Board.

The Council emphasized that the Gasa sa Gugma Board is the official body responsible for regulating informal trading.

Alcover’s resolution cited testimonies from the executive session, revealing that Archival had “verbally instructed” the Office of Muslim Affairs and Indigenous Cultural Communities (OMAICC) and the Participative Association of Sugbo Vendors Incorporated (PASVI) to assist in conducting the night market.

Alcover also pointed out that City Administrator Albert Tan admitted that his role is limited to implementing the mayor’s verbal instruction to assist, without any reference to formal authority or enabling ordinance from the City Council.

Archival, however, questioned the need to escalate the issue, adding that the GASA Board has no authority unless it is officially convened. He further said that he is now reviewing reports against GASA, particularly concerning the failure to remit collected fees.

Despite this, Archival said they are open to the Council’s call for an investigation, especially that the opinion of the City Legal Office has been sought regarding this matter.

It was reported that despite the executive session—intended to clarify the issues—the question of who is in charge of the Cebu City Colon Night Market this year remains unanswered, amid discussions and allegations that its operations are “illegally executed” and have bypassed the City Council’s approval.

According to Alcover, what makes the night market “illegal” is that it did not undergo deliberation by the council or the Garbo Asenso Sumbanan Alyansa sa Gugma (GASA) Board. (CEBU NEWS)