Cebu City Councilor Criticizes Mayor over Continued Operation of Colon Night Market

Cebu City Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr. has openly criticized Mayor Nestor Archival for allowing the Colon Night Market to operate despite ongoing legal and regulatory questions. The mayor recently stated there were no valid reasons to halt the night market, dismissing calls for a compliance review.

Speaking on Tuesday, September 30, Alcover questioned Mayor Archival's understanding of the situation, suggesting the mayor either misunderstood or overlooked key aspects of the issue. The councilor highlighted that according to City Ordinance 2386, the Garbo Asenso Sumbanan Alyansa (Gasa) sa Gugma Board is the authorized body responsible for approving the night market’s operations.

Alcover clarified that the Gasa sa Gugma Board is distinct from fee collection activities, countering Archival's implication that unpaid vendor fees from the previous board justified continued market operation without proper approval. The councilor emphasized that without the current Gasa sa Gugma Board's consent, the night market’s ongoing activities lack proper legal endorsement, raising concerns about its compliance with city regulations.