Market vendors outside the Bacolod Central Market and Libertad are being cleared from the road. Reactions from various quarters flew up in the air. Others call it political will and the right thing to do, while others remain pessimistic and will just say “they will be back in no time”. Just this morning I passed by the Libertad Market, vendors who stationed themselves to sell their goods outside the market were told to vacate the area and will be given equal space so that there will be order.
It had been the problem in the area ever since and today we see a moving force to put things into “proper perspective”. Remove the sidewalk vendors, lad-lad himos or transient vendors from the portion of the street that they occupy. If I remember it right, vendors are supposed to be inside the market. There are spaces for everyone who would like to venture into business which of course benefits the City’s coffers as these vendors pay the rent for the space they occupy.
Years have passed from several leaderships and the situation of the Public market deteriorates, more vendors went to the streets instead of being inside the markets. Streets were converted into extensions of the wet market. One could even finish marketing for a household need even if it does not go inside. What happens to those who are renting spaces from the government inside the market? They too have resorted to get spaces outside in order to get their goods sold.
The chance of having the markets function as what it is should be depends on the present leadership, the chances whether they thrive or not is not the responsibility of the Government. It is simply implementing what is in the bounds of the law in order to be fair to everyone. Bacolod City is experiencing what I call the “political wheel” (steered by politics) and “powered by politicians".
Those who have dismayed the expectations of the vendors just like what happened to politicians who ran for the executive post had suffered a consequential defeat during the elections.
Many blame the leadership of the present administration to its inaction towards the transient vendors, sidewalk vendors and to those who are outside the market. There were also speculations that the present administration banks on the population of market vendors whenever elections comes along. Today, there is a concrete action to put things in order – some may ask why now? Some people said it is of high time and other would simple say – that this is just temporary and we will see them on the streets in no time.
I simply go for the idea of having the vendors inside the market – have them pay the rent and close all establishments that have major delinquencies and have them filled up by the eager ones. In this manner, the markets will be maintained, the city’s income will continue rather than maintaining empty spaces which is of no use.#osb
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