Public market stall holders warn of massive protests

CEBU, Philippines - Stall holders at the Tabunok Public Market have threatened to hold massive protests if the Talisay City government pushed through with its plan to transfer them to the new public market in barangay Lagtang.

Marivic Lasquete, 48, vice president of Tabunok Public Market Fish Vendors Association, said they would continue to oppose the impending transfer to the new facility saying that the area is not accessible to market goers, which means less income for sellers.

And besides, Lasquete said the city government has failed to comply with its assurance to build a circumferential road that will bring in customers from the Tabunok area to Lagtang.

The city government has set the transfer on May 15.

Also, Lasquete contended that the 80 stalls in Lagtang public market's fish section cannot accommodate all of them.

She said there are 100 stalls in Tabunok, shared by 180 vendors.          The city earlier promised to accommodate all legitimate vendors from the old public market.

For the part of the city government, city Councilor Rodi Cabigas, in an earlier interview, had said the transfer would take place this May.             Cabigas said this has to be done despite the fact that the promised circumferential road has still to be constructed.

He said for the time being the city is still negotiating with the lot owners where the road will traverse.

And while the road construction will still be underway, he said the buying public for the meantime will have to use the four-lane Lagtang road.

He said the transfer is necessary as the Tabunok Public Market is already "dilapidated" and "unsanitary." – (FREEMAN)