Problems mar opening of city's night market
While City Councilor Jed Patrick Mabilog boasts of the successful opening of the city's Night Market along Muelle Loney St. last Friday, certain vendors have complained of poor sales alongside the problem on traffic congestion in the city's major artery, Iznart Street.
A vendor who spoke on condition of anonymity said, many people went to the opening of the Night Market but only a few of them bought food and ate in the stalls.
The vendor said most of the people actually went to the area not to eat but to watch the opening show that featured Starstruck winner Gian Carlos and Jopay and Rochelle of Sexbomb.
The night market area was filled with about 80 "carinderias" during the opening. Records from the night market committee showed 160 vendors have registered.
The vendor expressed fears that in the succeeding days they would no longer have customers if the nightly entertainment is not sustained.
He said, it seems that people only flock to the area because of the show.
The News Today also gathered that traffic flow in Iznart Street became congested as there was no alternative route for motorists.
Muelle Loney Street is usually used by owners of private vehicles as an alternative route during peak hours.
With the Night Market Ordinance the portion of Muelle Loney Street up to corner Yulo Street is closed to traffic from 6 pm until 11 pm.
Earlier, City Fire Marshall Chief Insp. Nilo Pacifico said that the closure of Muelle Loney Street could bring about difficulty to firemen as the said road is being used as alternative route in times of fire incidents either in Jaro or La Paz districts.
An engineer at the City Engineer's Office who refused to be identified also observed that the closure of Muelle Loney Street at night is a violation of the law.
The source said Muelle Loney Street being a national road should not be closed at any time of the day and night.
Mabilog in a radio interview said the opening of the Night Market was successful as it gathered a lot of people.
He admitted that certain problems cropped up but he said it is just normal considering that it was only in its first day.
Mabilog said the present set up is only in its experimentation stage of one month.
He said they are open to changes as long as it would be for the good of the vendors.
One aspect that Mabilog wants to amend at present is the time duration of the night market. He said he will suggest that the duration of the night market be extended up to 12 midnight so that the vendors could maximize their sales.
Street vendors from six areas, namely, Quezon-Mabini Street, Valeria Street, St. Paul's Iloilo area, Arroyo Street, Arsenal Street, and Freedom Grandstand area were relocated to the Night Market area.
Vendors in the Night Market area are made to pay nightly P20 per kiosk, as well as fees for the comfort room, lights, security and maintenance.
Before the implementation of the ordinance Mabilog vowed to set up nightly entertainment in the area to attract customers.