MEMBERS of the Small-Scale Fish Consignment Owners Association are prepared to show proof in court to back their accusation that they were made to pay “kotong (protection) money” up to P25,000 a month allegedly to members of the Market Marshal unit for the privilege to stay before in their area located at the back of the Makong Market where they had been selling fish for three decades.

In another public hearing conducted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) last Thursday, the members of the association led by Marietta Ballesteros repeated their accusation vs members of the task force in a past SP session that all 18 vendors had to raise the P25,000 protection money among themselves that one Marvin Barrozo, an alleged henchman of the Market Marshal Michael Hernando, collected from them monthly.

This was on top of the P100 worth of cash tickets (valid for 24 hours) they paid daily to city market collectors for the right to sell in their designated area before they were forced out and relocated at the riverside sidewalk for three hours only.

Hernando and Randolph Ubando, OIC market administrator, again snubbed the invitation of the SP for the third time to shed light on the complaints and accusations of the fish vendors.

When Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo warned the vendors about the gravity of their accusations and that they could be sued, the vendors balked at the warning and said they are prepared to show a logbook that Barrozo allegedly signed as acknowledgment of his receipt of the monthly tong.

The vendors, who have not been able to sell for more than two months owing to the their relocation and limited time policy again asked the SP for its intercession.

They reiterated their claim that they were relocated with more restrictions when they could no longer raise the demanded P25,000 tong and asked that SP adopts a resolution or an ordinance that will allow them to sell for 24 hours at the Pantal River sidewalk after paying the P100 cash tickets. They deplored the market marshal’s policy that discriminate against the members of the association limiting them to sell in the area for only three hours (5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a,m.) while other vendors are allowed at anytime of the day.

Again, Councilor Celia Lim, promised to bring the matter to her son, Mayor Brian Lim, who she said may issue an executive order in a few days  to finally settle the issue raised by the 18 fish vendors.

Danila Cayabyab, treasurer of the Dagupan Fish Consignment and Ice Dealers Association (DAFCIDA) confirmed that the small fish vendors were frequently harassed and need to be protected against the abusive members of the Market Marshal unit.

Councilor Teresa Coquia, SP chairman on market, who initiated the new public hearing, said another public hearing will be conducted on Tuesday and expressed hope that both Hernando and Ubando will attend.

Exasperated over the continuous snubbing by market officials, Coquia said the small fish vendors need to see a resolution to their plight after being unable to sell for more than two months now. (Leonardo Micua)

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