Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Balintawak Market Owners’ Association met on Saturday (September 12) to discuss the impending closure of their businesses.
The group said they had yet to receive a notice from the Quezon City government regarding the shutdown of the public market.
A member of the group, Rodolfo De Guzman Sr., said they’ve only heard of the City Hall’s plan from various media reports.
De Guzman said it would be unlawful as they had been complying with the various requirements to be able trade in the area for years.
However, he admitted, that despite paying for the various requirements, the QC government had failed to issue their business permits.
The group called on local officials to have a dialogue or consultation with them first.
Even vendors who did not belong to the group were complaining about the planned closedown.
Meanwhile, regular patrons said they’d also be affected in case of a shutdown, saying the area was the nearest source of produce rather than go to the provinces.
Earlier reports said Mayor Herbert Bautista gave the vendors a week to prepare for the shutdown due to sanitation issues.
The market area’s sanitation had been an issue since 2009, as waste flowed into the Toctocan Creek while the slaughterhouses were found to be filthy.
Local authorities pointed out they had given the market’s management six years to comply with sanitary protocols.
CNN Philippines’ Paola Palma contributed to this report.
