Stubborn vendors choose to stay put

CEBU, Philippines - While the Talisay City government is set to transfer the public market in barangay Lagtang, some vendors have vowed not to move out of the Tabunok Public Market because the city has failed to address their concerns.

"Di gyud mi mohawa no matter what," said Mylene Labalan, one of the vendors at the meat section.

She said they have no plans yet on what to do on August 28, the day the Tabunok Public Market will be totally closed.

Helen Ocampo, also a meat vendor, said that the city should not move them out yet since the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to conduct another ocular inspection of the site on August 17 to see if the city has complied with the rules.

The inspection is a response to the complaint filed by vendors assailing the earlier Environment Compliance Certificate issued by the DENR's Environmental Management Bureau claiming that the new market has a terminal, a road market, and an open space.

Ocampo said the city has just recently constructed a terminal, which she described as "risky" for both the drivers and the passengers as it is located just right next to the Mananga River.

She said that they could only wish that by the next inspection the DENR would see that the market has "not complied" with what was in the ECC.

The vendors have been against the location of the new market in Lagtang being located along riverbanks, adding that the threat of an overflow can't be dismissed easily.

This was however denied by Mayor Socrates Fernandez who said the market is constructed 10 meters above the surface of the river, which makes it safe even during floods.

Also, they want that the entire area be surveyed as they don't believe in the government's claim that it is 2.7 hectares, twice bigger than the old public market in Tabunok. Hence, they ask that it be surveyed.

Ocampo however said whatever the results of next week's inspection, they will remain at the old market despite the city's threat to cut all electricity and water supplies by Aug. 28.

"Naa diay silay katungod nga mo-cut sa kuryente nga amoa man ning kwentador? Og ilang putlon ang tubig, naa man say daghang kakuhaan," she said.

The city has also warned that the whole compound will be padlocked.

"Aw tan-awon lang nya ni nato. Maghuwat ra mi unsay dangatan namo ani basta, di gyud mi mohawa," she said. - THE FREEMAN