Sasa market stalls to be demolished

Friday, January 14, 2011

MARKET stalls at Kilometer 11, Sasa in Davao City are set to be demolished to pave the way for the construction of a "modernized public market" by the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH).

The stall owners received the demolition order on January 3, signed by DPWH district engineer Lora Ricardo.

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The order was supposed to be implemented on January 8, but the Sasa Aplaya Vendors Association (Sava), consisting of almost a hundred members, along with Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), negotiated for a 15-day extension so that renegotiations of the vendors' demand will be facilitated.

Sava members said they recognize the area as a public land and that they are not against the project, but they are demanding an assurance that they will be prioritized as vendors and occupants once the new market is operational.

Sava demanded that a temporary space be provided for the vendors while the construction is ongoing.

Sava president Wenefredo Catiloc said their group was established since 1982 "and has been accredited by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and should not be disregarded by the barangay."

"We deserve tenancy here. We've been faithful taxpayers to the local government," he said.

"We suspect that we will be totally evicted from our place after the construction of the new market because the barangay makes its own 'inventory sites' and refuses to give us a copy of their inventory," Catiloc said.

Progressive group Kadamay took the cudgels of threatened market vendors, requesting that the local government intervene on the eviction.

"We are looking forward to appropriate actions by the City Government in addressing this problem, given that Davao City Mayor Inday Sara claimed she is implementing a zero demolition policy covering public-owned lands and structures," said Kadamay secretary general Franchie Buhayan.

Sava and Kadamay demanded for a stakeholders' dialogue with the local barangay, city officials, DPWH, and City Engineer's Office in order to settle the demolition problem.

The groups also expressed concern over the 10 houses to be demolished due to the construction of the new public market.

Buhayan said the construction of the building for public market is a project funded by second district Representative Mylene Garcia and the Sasa barangay council.