No More Cooking Allowed In Baguio City Night Market

Sad news for food vendors at the Baguio City Night Market as the Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA) announced a ban on cooking of food at this popular local destination. The decision comes after various complaints about the practices of food vendors at the night market were not addressed, including violations in cleanliness and sanitation.

According to Sun Star Baguio, the BCMA has received several complaints from the city’s health department and the city environmental office.

Cooking Ban Comes With News Of Market Expansion

Speaking to Sun Star about the announcement, Councilor Leandro Yangot explained that the health department has raised concerns about the unsanitary practices of food vendors with regards to food preparation. The environment department also noted that food vendors disposed used cooking oil into the drainage system and even nearby plant boxes. Yangot also mentioned how Mayor Mauricio Domogan himself slipped because of the used cooking oil along a part of Harrison Road.

Because of this, the BCMA will be strictly implementing the no-cooking rule until further notice. This means that only cooked food products or items will be available in the meantime.

Aside from the ban, the authority also approved the expansion of the market to nearby Perfecto Street, which is adjacent Igorot Park, as well as the front part of Igorot Park. New vendors will be accommodated especially those who have been doing business in the city during events like Panagbenga and the holiday season.

Vendors Appeal The Decision But To No Avail

Representatives of the night market vendors approached the city council to appeal the decision. The city council however told them to follow the ruling of BCMA. According to the report, around 93 food vendors may be affected by the ban.

The rest of the 1,100 and more vendors will have to contend with more competition from walk-ins who will occupy the expansion area. Since the market’s birth in 2007, the range of products sold in the market grew from vintage and used clothes, to other products such as electronics, houseware, souvenir items and even jewelry.