Baguio City suspends night market operation over crowd control lapses

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has suspended the operation of the city's night market over lapses in crowd control.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the city’s public information office said Magalong instructed City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias and market superintendent Fernando Ragma Jr. to conduct a post-night market assessment on the incident.

"Identify our weak points and vulnerabilities and discuss solutions. I want feedback as soon as possible," Magalong, a former police officer, said.

The resumption of the operation in the night market on Tuesday was part of the city’s effort to reopen the economy and restore the livelihood of vendors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Magalong said the reopening of businesses should not disregard the health protocols against the virus and sacrifice the health and safety of the people.

"We must strike a balance between reopening the economy and safefuarding the health and safety of the people. This is our new normal direction,” he said.

On Tuesday night, the activity of the night market resumed along Harrison Road, according to the city’s public information office.

Only around 45% of the original vending slots or 481 stalls were allowed to open in consideration of the basic health protocols, specifically physical distancing.

Members of the Public Order and Safety Division and Baguio City Police Office monitored the area and reminded shoppers to maintain physical distancing as well as proper usage of face mask and face shield.

On October 22, Baguio City started to welcome tourists from Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon after months of suspension on tourism activities due to the threat of COVID-19 transmission. --Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News