DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/02 November) — The city government netted a total of P3.6 million from the rental fees of some 695 vendors at the night market along Roxas Avenue from January to September this year.
Speaking during Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, Drainage and Management Unit chief Yusof Jimlani said the amount had already surpassed last year’s revenues of P2.4 million, and they are hoping to close the year with P4 million.
There are already 170 accessory vendors, 162 food vendors, and 363 “ukay-ukay” vendors. Sixty-seven slots were still vacant.
He said vendors have experienced an upsurge in sales, following an influx of buyers to the night market called “Tiangge sa Katawhan” due to positive posts on social media.
“Tungod sa social media daghan na nga gapanghitabo. Naay ice cream nga gilinyahan (Because of the social media, a lot of things are going on there. There’s an ice cream vendor who gets a lot of customers),” he said.
He added that with the help of social media, the night market has become a tourism destination here where visitors go to the sought-after vendors to try the food and buy some items.
The night market started last year when the DMU transferred the sidewalk vendors to Roxas Avenue where they pay P25 in rental fee.
Jimlani added they are planning to put up other night markets in Agdao, Illustre Extension, Magallanes, and a space in Chinatown along R. Magsaysay Avenue to accommodate more vendors.
He said the Agdao area will be for the fish and vegetables, Illustre Extension and Magallanes for vegetables, and R. Magsaysay Avenue for the “ukay-ukay” vendors.
He said they are teaching the vendors proper sanitation to ensure that their products are safe. Food vendors in particular are required to wear hairnets and masks.
“Hinay-hinay na sila nga ga-comply kay wala nay mga gahig ulo og mga pilosopo (They are slowly complying with the requirements because there are no more hardheaded vendors),” he added. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)