Only wholesale selling and dropoff of products will be allowed in the Balintawak markets to maintain social distancing in the area to stop the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This consensus was reached following the meeting by Quezon City officials and seven market owners in Balintawak on Saturday under the directive of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
“Napagkasunduan sa pulong na itigil muna ang retail operations o bentahan nang tingi sa mga palengke sa Balintawak,” said Belmonte.
These markets are Cloverleaf, North Diversion, Riverview I, Riverview II, Pilson’s, MC, and Edsan Bagsakan.
Wholesale operations in the area will continue as the Balintawak markets are crucial in ensuring the supply of vegetables and other farm products in various parts of Metro Manila.
“Starting tomorrow, we expect the crowd to thin out in the area,” said Belmonte, pointing out that more than half of marketgoers in Balintawak are from neighboring cities.
Market owners agreed with the City’s move, saying the cooperation of everyone is needed to stop the spread of COVID-19.
According to Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo, the market owners themselves will ensure that only their wholesale operations remain.
All retail stalls will be closed effective immediately until further notice. The affected retail vendors will then be accommodated by the QC Fresh Market on Wheels program.
“They will be picked up by jeepneys that the City will hire and will be brought to various Barangays where they can sell their goods,” said Kimpo.
The Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD), Task Force on Transport and Traffic Management (TFTTM), Task Force Disiplina, and the Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) will man the area together with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) to prevent high foot traffic along Samson Road as far as practicable and ensure social distancing.
Kimpo said retail shoppers will be barred from entering portions of Samson Road and EDSA in front of the Balintawak markets.
Any violation will result in the immediate closure of the violator-market. (PR)
