Treñas: Opposition to night market part of 'birth pains'
City Mayor Jerry Treñas defended the Night Market ordinance even as he assured that it is not anti-poor. He said the ordinance is meant to ensure the safety of customers as well as rid the city of eye sores.
The Night Market ordinance establishes Muelle Loney Street as the night market area.
Street vendors affected by the ordinance had complained that there was no proper consultation leading to the approval of the ordinance.
They also claimed that transferring them to the Muelle Loney area would lead to the death of their source of livelihood.
Treñas considered the complaints as part of "birth pains" in the city's quest for development.
Treñas compared the Night Market ordinance to the controversial Perimeter Boundary Ordinance (PBO) which was fully implemented only recently. He said there were several oppositions when the PBO was implemented but only to realize it has solved the traffic problem in the city.
He said the people should understand that the implementation of the Night Market is meant to help the vendors as they would be transferred to a better location.
"Let us give a chance for the Night Market to be implemented," Treñas said.
He added that the Night Market ordinance has passed the deliberation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod before it became an ordinance.
City Councilor Erwin Plagata earlier expressed objection to the implementation of the Night Market ordinance saying it is selective as it only targets night vendors in certain areas of the city proper.
The initial site for the Night Market will be from the back of the Capitol area to Solis Street.
Treñas said the night market would legalize the existence of the vendors presently occupying the sidewalks. Night vendors occupying Quezon-Mabini Streets, St. Paul's Iloilo area, Arroyo Street, Arsenal Street and Freedom Grandstand will be the first to be relocated to the Night Market area.
He said the city government only want to help the vendors particularly those engaged in the "underground economy." The vendors doing business in the sidewalks are considered illegal and they are merely tolerated by the city government.
Treñas said one of the advantages of the Night Market is that all the vendors will be situated in just one area. Food sanitation and peace and order will be assured to those who want to go to the Night Market.
Inspectors from the City Health Office will be fielded once the Night Market becomes operational. Presently, the lighting system is being worked out by the city government and the Panay Electric Company Inc. Street lights are added to the area.
The chief executive said the city will also provide water system for the vendors aside from the electricity which the vendors need to light their kiosks. In return, vendors will pay P20/day to the city. The P20 fee will serve as payment to the city in the absence of a business permit. Vendors will also pay for their water and electricity bills.