A MILITANT group in Cagayan de Oro City is opposing the planned renovation of the Cogon market for fear that this would displace thousands of market vendors.
Francis Pagayaman, chairperson for Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) in Northern Mindanao said they are urging vendors in Cogon to oppose the renovation unless a clear plan which would assure them that they will not be displaced, will be laid out.
The issue was raised during celebration of the 5th International Street Vendors Day on Monday, November 14.
Hundreds of vendors, together with progressive groups, marched at Cogon market to push for the rights of the vendors.
The group also expresses its opposition to the privatization of markets.
"Kasagaran sa mga renobasyon nga nahitabo sa kamerkadohan, naka-displace gyud, mudugang kini sa kalisod sa atong mga street vendors," he said.
"Kung irinobar na pud nila ang Cogon market, dili man kini para sa mga interes sa mga kabus kundili sa mga kapitalista, kung atong na-obserbahan sa Carmen market, ang whole building nila is ang Unitop ang nakinabang, sa Cogon 2nd floor, mga taiwanese ang tag-iya. Unya asa man ang atong mga igsoon ng vendors makita? Naa lang sila sa dalan nga prime abugon sa mga law enforcement officials (If they will renovate Cogon market, it won't be in the poor people's interest but on the capitalists. If we look at Carmen market, Unitop makes use of the whole building and Taiwanese businessmen own the Cogon 2nd floor. Where will we see our vendors? In the streets, where they are being pushed away by law enforcement officials)," Pagayaman said.
Pagayaman said the Cogon market have already undergone renovation in 2003.
Pagayaman added instead of rehabilitating the Cogon market, the City Government should also focus on improving other markets located in other barangays or adding more in strategic areas.
Pagayaman particularly mentioned the worsening situation of the Puerto market where vendors have no permanent place.
"Kung more markets, less sidewalk vendors nga makacause pa gyud sa traffic," Pagayaman said.
The Cagayan de Oro City Council last August, has given the P17-million budget for the total renovation of Cogon public market, the green light with rehabilitation work set to begin next year.
The rehabilitation will include the repair of the drainage system, design and re-sectioning and arranging the stall holders, among others.
City councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, chair of the committee on economic enterprise, said he has already issued a directive to the City Economic Enterprise Department that in planning and rehabilitation, all licensed and registered stall holders will be accommodated in the distribution of stalls inside the market.
"I assure the vendors that no new applicants in the market will be accommodated," Nacaya said.
