Iloilo City cracks down on transient vendors near Terminal Market

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo City Government is enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against transient vendors selling around the Iloilo Terminal “Super” Public Market, citing violations of the city’s market ordinance and complaints from legitimate stallholders and nearby businesses.

“It is in our ordinance that transient vendors cannot sell within a 100-meter radius if they offer the same products as those sold by vendors operating inside the market,” Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) Head Maricel Mabaquiao said during a press conference on March 4.

Mabaquiao also flagged vendors occupying sidewalks and roadside areas as a public nuisance, citing traffic obstruction, impeded pedestrian access, and waste disposal problems in areas where transient sellers tend to cluster.

“We also receive complaints from several businesses in the area about transient vendors occupying spaces in front of their establishments,” she added, noting that allowing vendors to sell outside discourages customers from entering the market itself.

This concern was echoed by vendors inside the market.

Iloilo Terminal Market Vendors Association president Joseph Cabutad said the presence of transient sellers has affected about 70 percent of vendors’ income, particularly those selling fruits and vegetables.

Mabaquiao explained that the “Super” market area was originally intended to function primarily as a bagsakan, or wholesale drop-off point, where transient vendors deliver produce, but some have begun selling retail instead of supplying goods inside the market.

The enforcement came after a group of transient vendors staged a picket protest earlier that day at Plaza Libertad, calling on the city government to address their concerns over displacement following the redevelopment of public markets.

The protesters urged the city to open a dialogue, reinstate vendors in the market, allow more flexible payment terms for goodwill and rental fees, and designate selling spaces and hours for ambulant vendors.

Mabaquiao said the city previously maintained a master list of transient vendors, particularly those who had been operating before the market’s redevelopment.

However, she noted that many of those who joined the protest were not included in the official database, suggesting they may be new applicants.

“Initially, we have around 300 transient vendors in the master list. Some already have spaces, while others are being evaluated as new applicants. But we cannot accommodate all of them because of the limited number of vacant stalls,” she said.

Vendors who qualify will be required to submit the necessary documents and comply with city regulations before they can be assigned available stalls.

For those who cannot be accommodated, the city is considering alternative options, including allowing them to join the Thursday market in Jaro or utilize designated bagsakan areas where wholesale produce can be delivered and collected by regular buyers.

Under existing regulations, priority for market spaces will be given to vendors listed in the city’s master list and those who meet the requirements, including being Iloilo City residents and registered voters.

The LEEO also denied allegations that vendors were harassed during clearing operations.

“Sometimes, it’s even our personnel who are being threatened, but they have been instructed to exercise maximum tolerance while carrying out their duties,” Mabaquiao said.

Clearing operations are conducted by the LEEO in coordination with the Public Order and Safety Management Office (POSMO), the Task Force on Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structures (ASIS), and the Iloilo City Police Office.

Mabaquiao clarified that the city had already conducted information drives and consultations with transient vendors prior to the clearing operations, including the issuance of written notices explaining the provisions of the market ordinance.