Talisay to close satellite markets

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government will order the closure of satellite markets in barangays San Roque, Dumlog, Poblacion, and Tangke for lack of business permits, not to pressure vendors to transfer to the new public market in barangay Lagtang.

“Practically, these markets have no permits,” City administrator Richel Bacaltos said.

Bacaltos said the city won’t make drastic moves to solve the problem. It will meet the vendors to talk things over.

Councilor Edward Alesna, chairman of the committee on market and slaughterhouse, said the vendors should acquire permits before they do business.

Alesna said the city is only protecting the interest of the public and the vendors themselves.

The city found out that satellite markets don’t even have proper drainage systems, which contribute to flooding.

“Pa-aplayon gyud nato ang mga satellite market. Kung complete lang ang ilang requirements, then the city will give a clearance for their operations,” Alesna said.

Alesna said the problem is that “some satellite markets don’t comply with requirements.” 

In a separate interview, opposition Councilor Romeo Villarante said the move of the city is counter-productive and disadvantageous to the city government. 

“Ang maong buhat, usa ka lakang sa city hall nga paggukod sa mga pobreng negusyante nga nanginabuhi diha sa mga satellite market,” Villarante said.

When the old public market in Tabunok was closed, the city also closed the Nacario Trade Center (NTC), which reportedly had no business permit. 

Property  owners Dr. Jesus  Nacario and his wife Nieves earlier asked the court to stop the city government from closing their establishment, the Nacario Trade Center.

Some vendors from the old Talisay market moved to the center instead of to the new market.

Vendors that do business at a private lot in Talisay City are prohibited from selling merchandise similar to those found in the new public market in Lagtang.

The vendors can’t  sell fish, meat, rice, fruits, vegetables, and poultry products.

Arturo Bas, Talisay City public information officer, said the task force implements a city ordinance that prohibits another market from operating within a kilometer in radius from the new public market.

The new Lagtang public market is about 500 meters from the establishment.

The transfer of some vendors to the Nacario Trade Center has been an irritant for the Talisay city government, which had a difficult time moving the vendors after the closure of the old public market last year.

The Nacarios sued Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez and other local officials for “oppressive and rigid imposition of power” after some vendors moved to their establishment.

Mayor Fernandez said he wouldn’t close the Nacario Trade Center but that vendors should respect the court order prohibiting them from selling goods that are similar to those found at the new public market.  - THE FREEMAN