Monday, April 26, 2010 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
VENDORS are questioning the legality of the City Government's plan to build houses in Block III of Baguio City market.
The vendors fear the development will lead to their displacement and deprive them of their current rented stalls once the construction ends.
Leonora Guinid, a member of the Hilltop Open Market Vendors Credit and Services Cooperative (Homvesco), said the City Government did not consult them about any development project in the area.
The P18.5-million project in Block III intends to construct a temporary covered court that will only house legitimate vendors or those included in the list of taxpaying vendors in the area, said Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr.
Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas, however, said: "Alam ng taong bayan na kailangang ayusin ang market (the public knows the market needs to be improved)."
Despite the apparent opposition of the vendors, the City Government is bent on pursuing its plans, not only for Block III but also for Block IV, which is another area of the market. (Fatima Morales UPB Intern)
Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on April 27, 2010.
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