Erap: Arrest vendors for ‘market holiday’

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said yesterday that he will order the arrest of vendors or stall owners who will take part in a “market holiday” on Monday.

“I will have them arrested should they try to close any public markets on Monday. No one has the right to do that. No vendors, no stall owners or even their associations have the right to close a public market because it is owned by the city government,” Estrada said.

Members of the newly formed group of market vendors and stall owners – Save Manila Public Market Alliance (SAMPAL), which opposes privatization of 17 Manila public markets – said they will close shop on Monday.  

The group is protesting the Manila Joint Venture Ordinance 8346 wherein the city government will offer publicly owned businesses, social services and markets for joint ventures with private firms. 

The local ordinance also covers highways, ports, housing, land reclamation projects, education and school facilities, hospitals and health services. 

The vendors at Sampaloc Market, Trabajo Market, Quinta Market, Pritil Market, Dagonoy Market, San Andres Market and Sta. Ana Market are supposed to take part in the market holiday and march to the city hall.