On November 22, Agdao Laray Muslim and Christian Vendors Association (Almacva) members went to the Davao City Hall to convey their situation to Mayor Sebastian Duterte and local council members. They requested a dialogue with the local government, along with other organizations, to address the problems confronting them.

Currently, the vendors are facing constant clearing operations and looming demolition, threatening their livelihoods and their right to earn a living. The “laray” vendors set up their products on sidewalks, 300 meters from the Agdao Public Market. They pay the barangay ₱10 per meter of space. The Almacva has around 75 members, and their association is registered with the local labor office.

Selling inside the market may be an option but they cannot afford the high fees there, and it requires voluminous documents.

“All we want is a proper space to sell our products,” the vendors said. They explained that they just borrow capital for their products and need to pay it back every night (with interest). For every ₱1000 in capital, they only make a net profit of ₱100.

Ther suffere significant losses from the regular patrols and confiscations by the police from 5 pm to 7 pm. Worse, they can only retrieve their products on Wednesdays and only after paying the police a “fee”.

Almacva has called on Davao City to issue a resolution to provide them with appropriate space to peacefully earn a living. They demand protection for the rights of vendors and other informal workers in Agdao and the city.

On November 21, the vendors gathered at Rizal Park in the city to express their demands but were immediately dispersed by Civil Security Unit officials.