Legitimate fish vendors at the Mangaldan Public Market have raised concerns over the growing number of unlicensed sellers operating outside the market’s fish section, saying it is hurting their sales.

Sarah Abrazaldo, a vendor inside the market, said her daily sales have dropped sharply.

“Kagaya ngayon, wala halos tao kasi nahaharang na doon sa labas. Mahal pa man din ang isda,” she said.

Abrazaldo used to sell around 120 kilos of fish a day, but now considers it lucky to sell even 30 kilos.

Norie Aquino, president of the Mangaldan Public Market Fish Vendor Association, said they have brought their concerns to the local government repeatedly.

“Mas lalo silang dumami na nagbebenta sa labas. Kami na ang kawawa dito,” Aquino said.

Some legitimate vendors like Annabel Nayat have even moved outside the fish section themselves to compete.

“May pwesto kami sa loob kaya lang matumal, kaya dito na lang. Mas mabenta dito,” Nayat said.

Mangaldan Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) Chief Gerry Ydia said their team conducts regular monitoring, but their authority to confiscate goods is limited to only a few officers.

“Bibigyan [namin] sila ng warning, tapos may hanggang ilang offense. Kapag wala pa rin talaga, [ku-]kumpiskahin na [namin] ang mga paninda nila," Ydia said.

POSO will request the mayor to deputize all task force members to better enforce market rules.

Authorities assured legitimate fish vendors that their complaints will be addressed.