Night market bickering irks mayor
SQUABBLES within the vendors composing the now famous night market have irked Mayor Mauricio Domogan.
The mayor relayed he has threatened to close the Harrison road night market if petty issues will not be resolved.
Domogan said there are reports of vendor fights and differences which have reached his office as a result of the regular meetings for the night market.
The night market has become an attraction with the influx of visitors increasing, making it a destination in itself.
Domogan said the city cannot deny the income it is getting from the daily convergence of vendors which amount to almost P1.4 Million a month.
“It is also a way of giving livelihood to those who want work and a tourism attraction for the city,” Domogan said.
A nightly regulation fee is being collected from the vendors who have set up shop at the road.
Previously, plans to relocate the market to a permanent area
which will not hinder traffic is being eyed with a budget of 20 million to be sourced by the city in a bid to improve its operating structure .
Domogan said he is urging the local council to pass an ordinance to develop the areas surrounding Melvin Jones to become the permanent site for the night market without compromising the area as a sports hub.
Along the Night Market stretch, one can see a myriad of products apart from the original ukay ukay, brand new ready to wear items, souvenirs, electronics, house wares, kitchen ware and jewelry while food stalls have also invaded the area
Domogan is also pushing for the city’s legislative body to enact an ordinance institutionalizing the city’s night market and to designate the perimeter of the Melvin Jones grandstand as the permanent site of the nightly activity.
The mayor emphasized in transferring the night market venue to the perimeter of Melvin Jones football ground, the local government will provide sufficient lighting fixtures around it and the elevate its perimeter as promenade for the vendors and the public, thus, Melvin Jones will still remain as a football field.
Domogan underscored what is important now is the serious problems before such as the sale of spaces by the enterprising individuals has already been checked aside from the putting in place of the rules and regulations to be strictly followed by individuals wanting to do business in the night market area.
He said the Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA) remains to be on top of the situation in addressing problems that crop up relative to the night market operations, a major attraction in the city.
The Mayor said the city government will free Harrison road from the night market operations once the perimeter of Melvin Jones is improved and the appropriate ordinance institutionalizing the said activity is enacted.
Some 1,000 night market vendors conduct their trade in their allocated spaces along Harrison road nightly.
Previously, the night market was conducted within the premises of the Baguio Athletic Bowl but due to the overwhelming demand of the vendors for a better site, the said activity was relocated along Harrison road.
Domogan explained there will be no serious problem once the night market is transferred to the perimeter of Melvin Jones because people could easily adjust to the situation as the proposed venue is just very near the area where it is now.