Carbon probe uncovers sanitation concerns

CEBU, Philippines — As the probe into alleged excessive collections inside Carbon Market progressed, the Cebu City Council’s recent executive session led to the discovery of rat infested “permanent” stalls erected on sidewalks and drainage lines identified by market officials as belonging to ambulant vendors.

The revelation, made during the June 23 executive session, came as councilors were investigating how market associations operate and how collections are being made.

Councilor Joel Garganera presented photos and videos of Unit 1, the wet market area, showing an extended area of the building structure where about 24 stalls had been erected directly atop drainage canals.

“This came to my attention because the Department of Public Services had a hard time cleaning,” Garganera said, pointing to stagnant water that had become a breeding ground for rodents.

Market Administrator Elcon Concha described the vendors as ambulant, but Garganera challenged the classification, noting the structures were permanent.

“Ha? Ambulant vendors? So who owns these?” Garganera asked.

Councilor Jun Alcover added, “I don’t think this is ambulant kay permanente naman ni nga structure.”

Councilor Sisinio Andales also stressed, “Sidewalk is sidewalk for mga tawo,” suggesting demolition of the stalls.

Carbon supervisor Irenea Geneston explained that the vendors were relocated during the 2023 road widening along M.C. Briones Avenue, originally stationed near the old police station and the Cebu Market Vendors Multipurpose Cooperative (CEMVEDCO) office.

“Kana nga mga ambulant vendors, gikan na diri sa atubangan silbi before sa wa pa ta nag widening sa atong dan diha sa Carbon naa na sila sa kilid sa CEMVEDCO office… Di man nato sila pwede kulabag kon, di ta pwede mu displace nila so gi-relocate sila ana nga area,” Geneston explained.

She added that the Office of the City Markets then suggested they put up small stalls, but admitted cleaning was difficult because of parked vehicles and vendors who resisted sanitation rules.

“Naa man guy uban ana nila nga gahi kayo ba inig ting limpyo na… so ambulant vendors gyud na sila,” she said.

It was noted that the expansion of the night market along M.C. Briones during then mayor Michael Rama’s term in May 2023 may have contributed to the increase in vendors.

At that time, it was reported that around a thousand ambulant vendors were relocated to the newly designated area on M.C. Briones Street after previously occupying Plaridel, Manalili, Gonzales, and Magallanes streets.

The relocation was intended to ease traffic and encourage people to explore the Carbon complex while it was undergoing redevelopment.

Whether the sidewalk structures existed during Rama’s time was unclear, but the “permanent” stalls continued to exist under succeeding mayors Raymond Alvin Garcia and Nestor Archival.

They drew council attention following sanitation complaints.

“Daghan kaayog ilaga… unya wet market biya na… stagnant ang tubig… maglisod og limpyo,” Garganera stressed.

Alcover added, “Hugaw gyud kayo… ang ilaga ana maoy ambulant, kay nagsuroy suroy man.” He pointed out that the construction of permanent stalls on sidewalks without permits was illegal.

Andales emphasized that illegal structures should be dealt with strictly by the market administrator.

Garganera pressed further, asking who collected daily fees, noting, “Of course, ang naghimo ani, nag-invest gyud siya ani, naa gyud siyay daily nga collection ani.”

Geneston said the City Treasurer’s Office collects “arkabala” fees, though she acknowledged the vendors also belong to an association.

This issue erupted while the City Council was trying to find out more about the extent of market associations’ collections inside Carbon.

It was found that 52 associations operate within the market, most unregistered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

These groups allegedly collect daily dues and rent out stalls and equipment, activities not covered by the Market Code.

Archival previously warned that private collections could exceed official city revenues.

Councilors have since called for stricter regulation, SEC registration of associations, and activation of the GASA Board to oversee sidewalk and night market vendors. — /MRM (FREEMAN)