Councilor Augusto Javier “Javi” Campos III, chairperson of the Committee on International Relations, on Tuesday raised the concerns of vendors at the new Agdao Farmers Market over slow sales and high rental fees.
In his privilege speech, Campos said that out of the 347 total awardees, only 214 are doing business; 124 are partially opened but currently non-operational, while others have given up their stalls.
Furthermore, he said he found this out upon visiting the Agdao Public Market and after talking to the vendors.
According to him, the vendors have been suffering from low returns on their investments since the pandemic and the issue of the “uninviting” atmosphere at the new building has perpetuated their agony.
The vendors also complained about the high rental fees.
“This is, however, stated in the Revenue Code of 2017,” Campos said.
Vendors said the rows of vendors around the market are their competitors in sales, and it stiffens their chance to invite customers to get inside the farmer’s market building.
Campos said this concern has been addressed by the Barangay Captain of Agdao Proper and Ancillary Services Unit (ASU).
He also said that based on the opinion of the vendors, the design and materials used on the flooring of the Farmers Market have posed risks to a lot of customers, particularly to senior citizens, and that currently the walkalator is not being used and is barricaded by plyboards blocking the view of the insides of the market.
“They recommend to open the area for better access,” he said.
Campos said the vendors also whined about the disorganized market sectioning layout and that they are recommending a new setup or layout of their stalls to boost their income.
Campos said after hearing the plea of the vendors, his office started a series of consultative meetings last April 17, May 2, and May 9, 2024, and invited Councilor Edgar Ibuyan Jr, chairman of the Committee of Government Enterprise and Privatization; Eden Guira, president of the federation of public vendors of Davao City and representative to the City Market Committee; Paul Bermejo, officer-in-charge of ASU; Gerardo Castillo from City Economic Enterprise; Barangay Agdao Proper Punong Barangay Rudy Cagatin, and the officers and representatives of the various vendors association of Agdao Farmers Market.
He said as a proactive response to the series of meetings, the integrated vendors association and the variety, vegetable, and dry goods sections have submitted their respective request letters duly signed by their members requesting the august body for appropriate action within the powers of the council.
“Mr. President, it has been six months since the Agdao Farmers Market opened its doors to the public. Six long months that the vendors who had high hopes of having a better income have rather suffered of lack of customers, low income, and increased stall rentals,” Campos said.
