A traditional produce trading area in Barangay Ermita that has operated for more than five decades may soon receive official recognition under a proposed Cebu City ordinance.
Councilor Mikel Rama has filed a measure seeking to establish and regulate the Ermita Mountain Products Landing and Night Market, creating a legal framework for the long-running trading hub while introducing rules on vendor accreditation, sanitation, traffic management, and public safety.
The proposed ordinance aims to formally recognize the decades-old practice where farmers, traders, and transport operators bring fresh agricultural products from Cebu’s upland communities and nearby areas to Ermita for overnight wholesale and retail trading.
According to the proposal, portions of streets in Barangay Ermita have historically been used as temporary landing and vending areas for fruits, vegetables, root crops, flowers, and other agricultural products delivered directly from farming communities.
The measure said the market has provided consumers access to affordable produce while supporting the livelihood of farmers, vendors, traders, and transport operators.
It also seeks to address uncertainties faced by vendors during road-clearing operations by designating specific streets where trading activities may continue under city regulation.
The proposed ordinance cited Section 21(d) of the Local Government Code of 1991, which allows local government units to temporarily close and regulate the use of local streets through an ordinance for flea markets, night markets, and similar commercial activities.
It also noted that vending areas authorized through local ordinances are recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government as regulated sites rather than illegal road obstructions.
Under the proposal, the designated temporary landing and vending areas would cover portions of five streets in Barangay Ermita:
Manalili Street — both sides, from Magallanes Street to Progreso Street;
Plaridel Street — both sides, from Magallanes Street to M.C. Briones Street;
Lincoln Street — both sides, from F. Calderon Street to F. Gonzales Street;
Progreso Street — both sides, from F. Calderon Street to M.C. Briones Street; and
F. Gonzales Street — Ermita side only, from Magallanes Street to M.C. Briones Street.
The city mayor, upon the recommendation of concerned offices and Barangay Ermita, may adjust the designated areas through a City Council resolution when necessary for public safety, traffic management, or emergency situations.
If approved, the night market will operate daily from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day.
Trading, unloading, displaying goods, and vending outside the approved schedule would be prohibited unless temporarily authorized by the City Council.
The market would serve as Cebu City’s designated temporary landing, wholesale, and retail area for agricultural commodities, with priority given to farmers, farmers’ cooperatives, accredited agricultural producers, wholesalers, and legitimate existing vendors in the area.
Vendors would be required to undergo screening and registration with the Cebu City Vendors Registration and Welfare Council under City Ordinance No. 2586.
Each accredited vendor would be assigned only one vending space measuring up to two feet by six feet.
The proposal prohibits the selling, leasing, mortgaging, or transfer of assigned vending privileges.
To prevent congestion and sanitation problems, the ordinance would prohibit the construction of permanent or semi-permanent structures, unauthorized subleasing of vending spaces, obstruction of sidewalks, drainage canals, intersections, and emergency lanes, as well as improper waste disposal.
Vendors would also be required to maintain cleanliness, segregate waste, provide garbage bins, comply with food safety requirements, and clean their assigned areas before leaving.
The Department of Public Services and the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office would conduct regular sanitation inspections.
Traffic and safety management would be handled by the Cebu City Transportation Office, Cebu City Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Barangay Ermita, which would oversee vehicle movement, pedestrian safety, emergency access, and loading and unloading regulations.
The proposed ordinance also allows the temporary suspension of market operations during emergencies, disasters, road repairs, public works, or official government activities.
The Market Operations Division would supervise the implementation of the ordinance in coordination with concerned city departments and national agencies.
Violations would carry escalating penalties, beginning with a written warning for a first offense, suspension of vending privileges for up to 30 days for a second offense, and permanent disqualification from operating in the night market for a third offense.
Unauthorized structures and obstructions may also be removed by the city government at the owner’s expense.
The proposed measure allows the City Council to impose regulatory fees through a separate revenue ordinance upon the recommendation of the City Treasurer and the Market Operations Division.
If approved, the implementing rules and regulations must be issued within 30 days, with the ordinance taking effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Photo courtesy of Sangguniang Panlungsod Cebu City – Secretariat
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