Iloilo City Implements Structured Night Market Program for Inclusive Economic Opportunity
Iloilo City has officially opened its Night Market and Market Day events to all bolanteros, or informal vendors, from the city and surrounding provinces. This initiative represents a significant effort by the local government to create more organized, legal, and inclusive selling opportunities while simultaneously ensuring fairness for registered market vendors who occupy permanent stalls.
The city administration has openly acknowledged the challenging economic circumstances facing many vendors in the region. "We understand that making a living is hard, and we empathize with that," stated Mayor Raisa Treñas. She further emphasized in the local language that "Market day is bolante day, gin-desenyo ini para sa aton mga bolantero kag bolantera diri sa Syudad sang Iloilo", highlighting the program's design specifically for the city's informal vendors.
Successful Implementation and Structured Scheduling
In recent weeks, the implementation of "Martesan" at the Iloilo Terminal Market has demonstrated promising results, with numerous bolanteros expressing appreciation for the opportunity to sell their goods in a legal and organized manner outside traditional market boundaries. The Local Economic Enterprise Office has meticulously coordinated the program, listing all participating vendors and assigning designated spaces to prevent conflicts and maintain order during each Market Day and Night Market event.
The carefully planned schedules are as follows:
- Central Market "Lunesan": Monday, 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday
- Iloilo Terminal Market "Martesan": Tuesday, 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday
- Jaro Big Market "Huwebesan": Wednesday, noon to noon Thursday
- Mandurriao Market "Biyernesan": Friday, 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday
- La Paz Market "Sabadohan": Saturday, 5 a.m. to noon Sunday
- Arevalo Market "Domingohan": Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.
City officials have emphasized that these schedules and the overall system resulted from extensive planning and coordination with legitimate vendors, who actively participated in the decision-making and design process. The city has also provided assurances that while supporting bolanteros' livelihoods, it remains committed to protecting the interests of vendors already occupying stalls inside redeveloped markets to ensure their businesses are not adversely affected.
Registered Vendors Voice Concerns About Fairness
Meanwhile, the Federation of Market Vendors Association of Iloilo City has expressed mixed feelings about the Market Days initiative. While acknowledging the opportunity extended to bolanteros, federation president Charlie Chan noted that the arrangement has already begun affecting legitimate vendors in the city's public markets and taking a toll on their income.
Chan lamented that many registered vendors have experienced declining sales due to the increasing number of bolanteros operating in and around public markets. He pointed out that while bolanteros are often viewed with sympathy, regular vendors are also struggling significantly as they comply with city regulations, pay required fees, and operate within designated stalls.
"Mahambal ka bi nga kaluluoy sila, ti kami ya indi kami kaluluoy haw? Kami ya ga-comply sang tanan nga requirements nga ginhatag sang syudad tapos sila ya, mabaligya lang ya kag maladlad. Sin o bi sa amon ang kaluluoy?" Chan expressed, questioning who truly deserves more consideration in this economic equation.
Cooperation Amidst Challenges
Despite these concerns, Chan confirmed that vendors agreed to accommodate bolanteros during Market Days upon the request of the City Government. They recognize that bolanteros are also trying to support their families and survive economically. "Amo na si mayor nag ayo sa amon nga kon pwede nga i-accommodate sila through market day, kami gani nagpasugot nalang bisan disadvantage sa amon kay gina intindi namon nga sila may mga pamilya," he explained, highlighting their compassionate approach despite the competitive disadvantage.
However, Chan raised serious concerns about reports that some bolanteros continue to sell beyond their designated schedules, particularly late into the night, calling this practice unfair and inconsistent with agreed guidelines. The most recent instance even caused a commotion, underscoring the tensions that can arise when rules are not followed consistently.
"They were already given opportunities through Market Days. But if they continue to stay and sell outside the agreed schedule, that's no longer fair," Chan emphasized, pointing to the importance of respecting established boundaries.
System Enforcement and Future Hopes
Chan stressed that a comprehensive system is already in place, enforced by the Local Economic Enterprise Office as part of inclusive economic and market management, to maintain order through designated days and spaces. "There is a system in place. Without it, people would say the city is not doing anything. Now that there are rules, some still refuse to follow them," he observed, highlighting the challenge of implementation.
He added that recent tensions could have been avoided if the rules had been followed consistently and urged both vendors and bolanteros to respect the established system. "This is about survival for all of us. But survival should not come at the expense of order and fairness. Let's help each other," Chan appealed, calling for mutual understanding and cooperation.
Chan also expressed hope that respective local government units in Iloilo province where the bolanteros originate will similarly support their constituents by providing designated venues in their own towns. He emphasized that while Iloilo City accommodates them, it must also prioritize and protect its own registered vendors who comply with regulations consistently.
The Night Market initiative represents a complex balancing act between providing economic opportunities for informal vendors and protecting the livelihoods of established market vendors, with both sides navigating the challenges of urban economic survival in a rapidly changing marketplace environment.
