Bolanteros seek fixed spaces amid Iloilo market rules

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Some ambulant vendors, or bolanteros, are appealing to the Iloilo City government for designated legal spaces to sell their goods, citing intense competition and limited slots in public markets during scheduled Market Days.

The appeal follows intensified enforcement by the Local Economic Enterprise Office against vendors operating within a 100-meter radius of public markets during nighttime operations on April 10–11.

The enforcement stems from a 2009 city ordinance regulating vending activities, particularly around the Iloilo Central (Tienda Mayor) and Iloilo Terminal (Super) markets, which were redeveloped into market-mall facilities through a public-private partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc.

Among those affected was Christian Cajandab, a 21-year-old vendor from Cabatuan, whose goods — including a plastic bag of radish and a sack of bottle gourd — were confiscated during an April 10 operation.

Cajandab said authorities seized his produce despite being positioned beyond the restricted zone along De Leon Street, alleging obstruction.

The confiscated goods were acquired on credit, meaning payment to suppliers depends on successful sales, he added.

“We go here every night. This is our only means of livelihood,” he said.

Cyril Labos, a 26-year-old bolantero from San Rafael and a father of two, managed to keep his goods during the same operation.

“In our reality, this is our only livelihood, but if there is no choice, there could be other jobs. But we are only making a living while also serving the needs of the city,” he said.

In a separate operation on April 11, a vendor identified as Inday from Barangay Lanit, Jaro, lost a sack of pumpkin and a bottle gourd along Jalandoni Street.

She said the items were set aside while waiting for transport, but authorities confiscated them as supposed evidence of illegal vending.

Calls for stable vending space

In late March, the city government rolled out scheduled Market Days across major public markets to regulate vendor activity and ease congestion.

Under the system, vendors are assigned rotating schedules in specific markets: Central Market operates from 6 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday; Iloilo Terminal “Super” Market from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday; Jaro Big Market from 6 p.m. Wednesday to noon Thursday; Mandurriao Market from 6 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday; La Paz Market from 5 a.m. Saturday to noon Sunday; and Arevalo Market from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Daily Guardian sought from LEEO the exact number of bolanteros each market can accommodate, but no response had been received as of writing.

Based on materials released by the office, each market has a different number of designated stalls for bolanteros.

Despite the system, vendors said overcrowding and competition make it difficult to secure space.

Cajandab proposed allowing vendors to sell near the Super market during nighttime hours when the establishment is closed.

“I hope they give us a space anywhere around Super since it closes at 9 p.m. A 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. schedule every day is viable for us,” he said.

He added that increasing numbers of vendors are being turned away due to limited space.

“They said we are also allowed to sell in areas such as La Paz and Jaro during Market Day, but these locations are already congested. We tried selling there, but it was too crowded. We were not accommodated because there were already too many vendors,” he said.

Cajandab said the vegetables he sells are harvested three times a week and may spoil if not sold immediately.

“The Market Day in Super is every Tuesday. Are we going to eat only on Tuesdays?” he said.

Labos also called for designated evening vending areas to avoid direct competition with market stallholders.

“I hope the city mayor helps us so we can be given a space to sell in Super in the evening, so that we will not be competing with vendors inside Super because we know that this is a common problem,” he said.

“There is a Market Day, but that is only one day for Super. How can we sustain our family in that? What are we going to do with our products if that one day ends? Where are we going by then?” he added.

He said assigned markets such as Jaro and La Paz are also overcrowded, sometimes leading to tension among vendors.

“We are asking for a place, anywhere, as long as it is far from the Super and we are not constantly cleared out. We sell at night, not in the morning,” he said.

Inday said she understands the Market Day system but stressed that one day is not enough to support her family.

“This is our only livelihood. If we move from one market to another, we may have found enemies there,” she said.

She also appealed for a permanent and secure vending space.

“We just want a decent place where we are not constantly displaced. We are not thieves. This is how we earn a living and send our children to school,” she said.

City vows firm enforcement

Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said the city will continue enforcing regulations while recognizing the plight of vendors.

“We will enforce the law firmly — but we will do so with fairness. We have discipline, order, and understanding, but we have limitations,” she said.

She said the Market Day system was designed to provide organized and equitable selling opportunities for both ambulant vendors and those with permanent stalls inside redeveloped markets.

Treñas-Chu added that registered bolanteros have been assigned Market Day slots and that authorities will continue dialogue to clarify policies while balancing stakeholders’ interests.

“We are helping bolanteros earn daily, but we must also protect those already operating inside markets so that their business will not also be affected,” she said.

She also urged vendors to respect the law and avoid being influenced by “sulsul” or instigating remarks that may disrupt public order.

“We will not allow this kind of incident to undermine public order and safety in Iloilo City,” she said.