Transient vendors in Iloilo are asking the city government for a space at the market where they can earn a living.

The vendors gathered near the Iloilo City Hall on March 3, 2026, over a month after the city government said transient vendors at the Iloilo Terminal Market will be made to enter the market once the list of legitimate vendors was finalized.

“Ang gusto sana namin, bigyan kami ng kaukulang pwesto at oras, hindi na parang mga hayop kami na itinataboy. Ang gusto namin, pormal niya kaming kausapin. Maiintindihan namin yan, kaso hindi namin alam ang kanilang plano para sa amin,” said Janette, a transient vendor.

Other vendors said they rely on their income from selling for their day-to-day survival.

“Buhay ng anak ko ang kapalit dahil hina-harass kami sa Super (Terminal Market). Umakyat naman kami sa taas, wala na umanong space sa Supermarket sa taas para sa amin. Paano na kami?” said Jossel, another transient vendor.

But the city’s Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) said those who participated in the rally are not in the list of legitimate transient vendors.

“Let us see kasi bago na ang markets natin. Naghahanap tayo ng paraan kung papano kayong mailagay. Sabi namin why not join kayo sa Jaro, nandun ang mga transient vendor, knowing ang mga vendor sa Jaro galing rin sa province,” said Maricel Mabaquiao, head of the Iloilo City LEEO.

Mabaquiao said she will speak with Mayor Raisa Treña on what the city can do for the transient vendors who joined the rally.