A Cebu City councilor has called for an investigation into alleged excessive fees and possible irregularities affecting vendors at the Kamagayan Food Park.
In a privilege speech delivered on Tuesday, April 7, Councilor Jun Alcover raised complaints from vendors operating at “Chibugan Nato” in Barangay Kamagayan.
He described the issue as an “urgent public concern” involving fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Alcover said his office received a formal letter and multiple complaints from vendors who claimed they were required to pay P10,000 per stall, allegedly covering rent and compliance with requirements from the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).
According to the vendors, the payment was collected by organizers led by Wilma Cabo and her executive committee, who reportedly told them the amount was needed to meet requirements from the City Treasurer’s Office, including securing a minimum of 50 permits and advance payments covering three months.
However, Alcover noted several inconsistencies based on accounts from the vendors.
These included the actual number of vendors being around 30 instead of the claimed 50, the absence of a clear breakdown of the P10,000 fee, and the lack of official receipts or documentation supporting the collections.
He also cited reports that vendors who failed to pay were allegedly forced out, with some claiming their stalls and goods were dismantled or removed.
“This is not merely a question of rental increase… this is a question of possible misrepresentation, lack of transparency, and potential abuse of authority,” Alcover said.
Some vendors also noted that the amount collected was higher than fees charged in established night markets, such as Colon Night Market, raising further concerns about the legitimacy of the charges.
As chairman of the Committee on Markets, Alcover said the City Council has a responsibility to protect vendors, whom he described as key contributors to the local economy.
He called for clarity from concerned offices, including the City Administrator’s Office, the BPLO, the City Treasurer’s Office, and the Office of the Market Administrator, particularly on policies governing permit processing, required payments, and authorized collectors.
“We cannot allow confusion to become an opportunity for exploitation,” he said.
Alcover moved for the matter to be taken up in an executive session, with concerned officials and representatives, including the organizers of the food park, invited to shed light on the issue and determine possible policy interventions. (LLP)
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