Boracay vendors appeal anew to SB Malay

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Around 300 vendors belonging to Malay Boracay Vendors Association (MABOVEN) appealed anew to the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Malay to prioritize and to intervene for immediate solutions to their plight.

Malay town councilor Dante Pagsuguiron said affected vendors in Boracay Island are still waiting for the proposed relocation site of Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) and the local government of Malay, Aklan.

“They (Boracay vendors) are reeling from the effects of the temporary closure of the island. They were not allowed also to sell their goods in the beachfront when the Boracay re-opened on October 26,” Pagsuguiron said on Tuesday.

The gravity of the situation in Boracay Island has caused serious anguish to the vendors especially to  their families and children.

Pagsuguiron said a relocation site near a wetland for vendors where they could offer their goods and services to tourists is being proposed.

“Hindi pa natin alam kailan nila ideveloped ang nasabing area. Karamihan sa mga vendors ay taga Boracay, ang problema nila ngayon ay paano nila masusustentuhan ang kanilang mga pamilya at mga anak,” the councilor added.

Town councilor Dalidig Sumndad also offered his property in Barangay Balabag near Station 1 as temporary site of affected vendors.

“I-fastrack natin ang pagtulong sa kanila. Let’s act and help them. Marami tayong nakakausap na vendors at humihingi ng tulong. Naibalik na ang water sport activities ngunit ang mga vendors natin ay naghihirap pa rin,” he added.

Town councilor Jupiter Aelred Gallenero is also advocating for public open spaces as night market area for displaced vendors to regulate their activities in the beaches of Boracay.

“Maganda ang mga beaches natin ngayon, ang problema natin ay nadeprived ang mga vendors ng kanilang income. Kailangan ang intervention ng LGU Malay sa ganitong sitwasyon,” he added.

SB member Floribar Bautista, for his part, said the local government of Malay should identify a property and allocate funds for a public market in Boracay.