By Mae Singuay

A fish vendors’ group requested the Bacolod City government yesterday for an extension of the payment deadline for stall arrears at the Burgos Market.

Burgos Market Fish Vendors’ Association secretary Carmelo Lacson Jr. said they submitted an appeal for the deadline extension to Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on markets chair Councilor Celia Flor.

“Nagapangayo kami sang pasaylo sa amon obligasyon sa indi pag-impas sa ginkasugtan nga amount sa kada stall nga amon gina-occupy sa sulod sang fish section sa gintalana nga date sang nagligad nga December 31, 2023,” part of their appeal said.

Lacson said the city government gave them six months to settle their arrears amounting to P16,000 for each vendor, which has already lapsed on December 31, 2023.

He reasoned out that the vendors failed to pay the arrears due to a low income in the past months.

“Nagapangayo pa gid kami sang additional nga six months para bayran namon ang utang namon sa sini nga tuig antes kami nga i-transfer sa temporary nga merkado,” they said in a statement.

“Kag kun may ara nga indi pa gid makabayad, kamo na ang mag-desisyon kun ano ang himuon,” they added.

Lacson expressed concern that the City Legal Office would possibly issue a notice to vacate due to their failure to pay.

Meanwhile, Flor told the vendors that the SP has yet to decide on their appeal./MS, WDJ