SAN JOSE, Antique – Suspension of Sibalom town’s market day every Tuesday will be strictly enforced on March 31 due to threats posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Rodel Esler, municipal economic and enterprise development officer, on Wednesday said there was an earlier announcement on market day suspension but a lot of sellers and local farmers still came to vend last Tuesday.
“Many of the vendors and farmers from the barangays said they were not aware of the suspension of the market day, thus, they still came to sell their goods,” Esler said.
“Next Tuesday, the municipal government will already strictly implement the market day suspension,” he added.
An estimated 5,000 people troop to Sibalom during market day on Tuesdays either to sell their goods or buy fresh farm produce and other needs, according to data from the municipal economic and enterprise development office.
The suspension of market day adheres to Executive Order 2020-0119-III signed by Mayor Gian Carlo Occeña on March 23. However, regular market operations for essential goods will continue.
Transient vendors from Sibalom can go on selling their goods provided they have secured quarantine passes from the barangay.
Delivery trucks of essential goods and food items also have to secure a travel pass that will be presented in checkpoints.
Only one driver and one helper are allowed to board the delivery truck. (with report from PNA/PN)
