Reactivation of Barangay market days during ECQ urged

April 25, 2020 Metro BLISTT

The city council approved a resolution reiterating the conduct of the “Barangay Market Days” in response to the restricted mobility of the public in the wake of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
The resolution authored by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, Councilors Michael Lawana, and Philian Weygan Allan recommends the reactivation of the Barangay Market Day which was institutionalized in 2006 by virtue of an ordinance.
According to the resolution, pursuant to the Luzon-wide ECQ and the citywide community quarantine and 24-hour curfew imposed through Executive Order No. 65, Series of 2020 as amended by E.O. No. 67, S. 2020, the public is advised to stay at home, however, people need to purchase basic needs and other essentials.
The conduct of said activity will help sustain economic activities without compromising public health amid the ongoing COVID-19 threat, the resolution states.
The resolution also notes the said ordinance was enacted for the purpose of decongesting the overcrowded city market.
Under the ordinance, vendors without stalls in or around the city public market, vendors without permit, and ambulant vendors are given priority should they decide to participate in the activity.
The ordinance stipulates the operation of the barangay market day “shall not run in contrary with” the operation of any existing satellite market in the barangay/district.
As per the ordinance, the 20 districts of the city are allowed to establish additional satellite markets in certain barangays specified under Article II of the ordinance.
Jordan G. Habbiling/ABN