Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama’s Singapore-like fantasy train is chugging along inexorably, mercilessly pushing aside those who get in the way.
Homes of informal settlers have been, or threatened to be, demolished without just compensation and proper relocation, contrary to what is guaranteed by the constitution and existing laws. However, possibly because no big business is behind this project, the City now seems to acknowledge a united pushback by the settlers and is putting demolitions on hold.
It’s a different story for the other victims of Mayor Rama’s Singapore-like fixation. By consistently and unreasonably ignoring the pleas of Carbon ambulant vendors, Mayor Rama is telegraphing the message that he can’t (won’t?) unstuck the City from whatever agreement it has made with Megawide.
Which means that Cebu Province, not just Cebu City, will lose a heritage market that has provided livelihood to thousands of small ambulant vendors, small farmers and manufacturers from the province. Carbon is about to become the stomping grounds of rich locals and tourists and will be all but hospitable to small people.
But Carbon will not be lost if the province picked up the slack. After all, if you dive deep into its history and its place in the life of Cebuanos, Carbon is really the Province’s central market that just happens to be located in Cebu City. Hence, the province could perhaps provide the real estate where the spirit and culture of the old Carbon can rise and thrive again. If I know Cebuanos, they will always go to the market that gives them the best value for their money.
Talisay or Mandaue or Minglanilla could provide the space. I believe small producer-farmers and ambulant vendors will go there to display their wares and customers will flock to any place where prices are gentle on their pockets. The place could be more orderly and sanitary than the old Carbon but the same inato culture will remain its main feature.
In a manner of speaking, the province should punish Cebu City for depriving ordinary and simple Cebuano folks of a market where they can sell their meager produce or buy basic necessities at affordable prices. Carbon in more ways than one is a heritage site. If we must lose its historic site, we can and should at least retain its indomitable spirit.
I don’t think small ambulant vendors should give up their united fight for a place in the new Carbon. But it’s time to think of alternatives, now that Mayor Rama and the City Council are hell-bent on doing what they plan to do with Carbon which, unfortunately, is at the expense of the livelihood of so many Cebuanos.
If Cebu City is biased towards big business, so be it. But people from the province should not be paying the price for its pro-big business development. So, how about it, Governor? Could the province perhaps pick up the slack and pry Carbon and its people out of the jaws of extinction. Just in case?