Urban poor favor vendors transfer to new public market

CEBU, Philippines - While some Tabunok Public Market vendors are opposed to the transfer to the new market in barangay Lagtang, the urban poor community is in favor of it.

“Kinahanglan pud mi motingog kay kami ang nagrepresentar sa mas baga nga sektor diri sa syudad sa Talisay. Usa pud kami sa mga stakeholder kay mamalitay man pud mi,” said Alexander Gabi, secretary of the Federation of Talisay City Urban Poor Dwellers Association (Fetcuda).

Gabi said that in their many board meetings, only one of the 17 meetings approved a motion supporting the government’s plan to close the old market, thereby transferring all vendors to the new facility in Lagtang. Sherwin Echavez, one of the board members, and a Tabunok Public Market vendor, who will be affected by the planned transfer is the lone opposition.

Gabi explained that they finally came up with a stand as they, being part of the buying public, are also stakeholders.

“Ang merkado dili mabuhi kung puro vendors ra, dakong papel pud ang mga buyers sama namo,” he said.

Fectuda’s move to support the transfer is also supported by more than 5,000 of its members “so far” who signed their position paper, said Gabi.

Last month, the federation launched a signature campaign inviting its more than 6,000 members to stand by the city government.

The transfer was already scheduled last Tuesday, but Mayor Socrates Fernandez the other day postponed it indefinitely. – THE FREEMAN