Editorial: Don’t bring back Colon Night Market, close Chibogan sa B. Rod

Streets are for vehicles. Closing them to traffic for a certain period of time to allow merchants to ply their trade is a mind-boggling move because they are designed for vehicles. Engineers at the Department of Public Works and Highways do not construct roads and bridges because they love ambulant vendors.

Colon Street in Cebu City for one was constructed for vehicular traffic, not for vendors and shoppers.

Commuters (students and workers going back to their homes) can now heave a sigh of relief as the Colon Night Market ended its run on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.

Colon Night Market was definitely a source of frustration for commuters, as it caused traffic congestion during peak hours and made it difficult for them to reach their destinations on time.

The night market under the administration of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama started in September last year, but it was stopped by Rama on Oct. 2 as he wanted it improved. It was operating every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight. When it reopened in November, its operation happened every day, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

A closed Colon Street had contributed to the traffic of its neighboring small streets in the downtown area.

The presence of Colon Night Market had made it harder for people to get around.

The Cebu City Government understandably opened Colon Night Market to help small-time merchants’ businesses.

While the night market is a valuable source of livelihood for vendors, it is important to consider the impact it has on the community.

The Colon Night Market should not return.

The Cebu City Government must also close the “Chibogan sa B. Rod,” which was created as a venue for vendors to sell their barbeque on one lane of B. Rodriguez Street in uptown Cebu City. Bobby Lozada, in his letter to the editor on Jan. 31, said it created a traffic mess as motorists can only use a single lane from 5 p.m. onwards every day.

The City must rethink the use of streets for business purposes.

Streets should be reserved for vehicle traffic, and alternative solutions should be explored that will allow vendors to sell their wares without disrupting the flow of traffic.