The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Pasay joined the vendors and workers of Wowee Market on Taft Avenue, Barangay 97, Pasay City in opposing the closure of the market by the local government. According to the group, vendors and workers began the new year with terror and loss of livelihood when the market was abruptly shut down.

On December 19, the Pasay City Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) ordered the closure of Wowee Market because of alleged violations and lack of permits. The market is owned by Yok Tin Tan So.

The office said that it had repeatedly notified the market owner to submit the required permits, but had received no response. The market can reopen only if its management submits the necessary permits.

According to Bayan-Pasay, although it understands the need to comply with regulations, this should not become a reason to deprive poor Pasayeños of their livelihood and push them deeper into poverty. “Beyond the vendors and workers, the closure of Wowee Market will greatly affect the communities that rely on it as one of the city’s affordable marketplaces,” it said.

The local government also warned the vendors and workers. It said that the local government is serious and will enforce its decision to stop any operations in the market.

Bayan-Pasay expressed disappointment that Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto chose to take away the source of income and affordable marketplace from thousands of Pasayeños amid the worsening economic crisis and lack of services. The group called for giving Wowee Market vendors the chance to defend their right to a stable livelihood.

It added that the poor, vendors, and consumers should not be caught in the bureaucracy and intricacies of local politics in the city. In front of the market, the vendors and workers displayed calls to protect and reopen Wowee Market.