The city government will continue to close Session Road for the weekend showcase encounter, despite opposition by stakeholders from the city market.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong said there is no better place to conduct the activity than Session Road.
He urged those opposing the Sunday showcase encounter to understand that the purpose of the activity is to help micro, small, and medium enterprises recover from the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For those in the city public market, he said they have their own regular customers who patronize their goods and services daily while those participating in the regular Sunday showcase are doing the same only once a week.
He added the city government does not intend to forego the activity because many MSMEs are benefitting, aside from contributing to the efforts to pedestrianize the city’s main road.
Vendors from the public market trooped to the city council last week to air their opposition to the Sunday showcase encounter because the products sold by the stallholders are similar to the ones being sold in the market stalls.
Magalong however said the city will look into the possibility of reducing the number of stalls that will be allowed to participate in the Sunday showcase encounter to ensure more spaces where people could move around.
He added the number of participants will be divided into two groups and each group will be allowed to do their trade on an alternate basis to ensure that the basic health and safety protocols will be strictly observed.
The pedestrianization of Session Road has been a long-standing proposal but the ordinance authorizing the same has not yet been passed. The move is part of the strategy of the local government, concerned agencies, and various sectors to help in reducing the pollutants in the city’s air and to allow the public to enjoy a walkable area with various offerings not only from the existing establishments but also from exhibitors that are interested to advertise their products. – PIO release
