Mandaue public market vendors blame gov’t policies for dwindling sales

The Mandaue City Public Market. CDN Digital photo | Mary Rose Sagarino

MANDAUE CITY, Philippines – Some vendors at the Mandaue City Public Market have complained of dwindling sales allegedly due to some policies being implemented there.

The vendors said their income has been severely affected by the constant changes in policies in the market such as the constant changes in the schedule of the market’s exit gate which they said has caused so much hassle to both customers and vendors.

“Everyday dili magpareha ang exit, dako kaayo og epekto. Maningkamot mi mahalinan mi kay ting business permit sige mi og guyod dinhi sa gawas para mahalinan mi,” said Nieves Auman, a vendor at the public market.

They said their income could barely cover the rent, especially vendors on the second floor.

Aside from the scheduling problem, the vendors also cited the need for customers to bring a quarantine pass as another reason why sales are low.

“Hinaot unta ila i-open ang mga gates sa merkado kay once sirad-an ang gate o gamay ang open sa gate makaapekto gyud namo. Sa Colonade (mall), diha sa gawas kay wala nay quarantine pass unya dinha sa merkado magkinahanglan,” said Mary Claire Aberquez, another vendor.

Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, chairman of the committee on Market and Abattoir, who personally talked to the vendors, said he already raised their concerns to Mayor Jonas Cortes regarding the few customers on the second floor.

He said he also presented his own proposal to address this like putting some government offices on the second floor so that people will be forced to go up. Lumapas added that Mayor Cortes was amenable to his proposal.

Lumapas added that the problem with the entrance and exit gates is due to the lack of security personnel.

Lumapas promised that they will schedule a meeting with the market authority to address issues raised by the vendors. /rcg