By Jun Tarroza

Ormoc City - They tried to negotiate so that their stay on their old posts could be extended while the Christmas season lasts – to no avail . They had to go .

So said Virgie Labus , president of the Ormoc Fruits Vendors ’ Ass . ( OFVA ). She was shocked to learn that her members selling on the sidewalks at Ormoc Gaisano Capital , bus and jeepney terminals , and at public market were demolished by the city demolition team and traffic police officers last week and transferred to a site where buyers are least expected to go .

Two weeks ago , they met City Administrator Vincent Emnas to discuss the demolition , appealing that they be relocated only on Dec . 31 because of peak sales experienced during

the Christmas season . But their appeal was not granted .

The administrator would not give due consideration to the length of time that they have been vending or that most of them do not have alternative livelihoods .

The OFVA has 67 members , out of which 47 have been displaced . Labus herself has a fruit stall beside the Ormoc mini-forest for which she was paying P40 a day for a ticket from the city government . The demolition was sudden that they were not even consulted with the plan to relocate her members to a strip of public along Veloso St ., Sitio Toog , Cogon , this city . To be sure , there will be no ‘ Merry Christmas ’ for many of them , she said .

About two months ago , it was the vegetable vendors who were demolished and transferred to the second floor of one of the market buildings where buyers are also least expected to visit .

According to Labus , many women market vendors cried when the police forcibly removed their displays and transferred them to a site 4-5 kilometers from the city proper . She said some of her members approached the mayor , but their appeal was also unheeded .

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