WAIT FOR THE MAYOR

THE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution asking the executive department to hold in abeyance the clearing operations on a road fronting the Dagupan City Fish Market set on November 10 to pending the arrival of Mayor Brian Lim’s arrival from his overseas travel.

This after some of the 76 bangus retailers regularly occupying the area trooped to the SP during its session on November 4, to seek reprieve after they received a letter from City Administrator Alan Dale Zarate informing them of the date of the clearing operations and the demolition of their makeshift stalls.

But Sally Lopez, a fish retailer from Barangay Lomboy, also complained that trucks were already using their area as parking area after delivering their load of bangus from Bulacan and other towns to the consignacions.

Removing the vendors from the place where their parents had long been selling fish since they were young, will only favor big trucks delivering their fish cargo and big businessmen operating consignacions, she said.

In Tagalog, Lopez questioned the policy of allowing trucks servicing consignacions to park in the place allowed by past administrations for them to sell their fish by retail while they are being evicted.

Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo initially wanted to pass a resolution seeking to temporarily withdraw the use of the road till after the vendors are able to personally appeal their plight to Mayor Brian Lim.

But Acting Mayor Bryan Kua said it is not within his power to stop the clearing operations. 

Marlyn Leguipo, city director of the Department of Interior and Local Government instead advised Tamayo to pass a resolution seeking the postponement of Nov. 10 clearing operations.

Councilor Teresa Coquia, SP chairman on public markets, explained her contrary view that there was no need for the fish market road to be withdrawn as this road had already been closed to traffic many years ago to allow fish retailers to ply their trade. 

Tamayo, however, said the SP cannot stop the clearing operations to be undertaken by the executive department as this was personally directed by President Rodrigo Duterte through the DILG.

According to Tamayo, the SP can only help by seeking the postponement of the clearing operations for a few days and only Mayor Lim can decide how to settle the issues of the vendors and the consignaciones. (Leonardo Micua)     

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