“If you cannot go to the market, then we will bring the market to you!”

In an effort to tackle the food supply problem while practicing proper social distancing during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Valenzuela City rolls out its Market on Wheels on March 29, 2020. The project, one of the Alagang Valenzuelano programs along with Valenzuela City Food Voucher and Care Bag, is in partnership with the VALDECO Greenleaf Market – a local cooperative helping Greenleaf Market vendors’ through livelihood programs.

Providing access

To address the issue of people having to walk far just to go to the market while a public transportation ban is in place, the City’s mobile markets are strategically placed in areas far from the marketplaces, but near the residences.

The City’s E-trikes, initially turned over by the Department of Energy (DOE), were repurposed to transport goods and serve as mobile stores carrying a meat and poultry, vegetables and fruits, seafood and grocery items.

Market on Wheels, which takes its inspiration from Pasig City’s Mobile Palengke, endeavors to reduce the number of people going to wet markets so as to maintain social distancing and strictly implement Ordinance No. 670 Series of 2020 or the Stay at Home Ordinance of the City.

The said move also aims to help vendors and e-trike drivers have a continuous source of income despite the lockdown. More importantly, these markets target to bring healthy and reasonably priced goods to the constituents.

Last Sunday, the Valenzuela City Market on Wheels debuted in Barangay Rincon and Barangay Mapulang Lupa. From 7 to 10 a.m., residents trooped the Felo 1 Subdivision Covered Court in Rincon and C. F. Natividad St. in Mapulang Lupa to shop for everyday staples.

According to Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office (LEIPO) Officer-in-Charge Ms. Josephine Osea, the Market on Wheels was well-received, proudly stating that “Marami ang natuwa kasi hindi kailangang magitgitan sa palengke kaya hindi nalalagay sa risk ang mga tao. Since ang mga pinipili nating lugar ay maaliwalas at maluwag, napa-practice talaga ang social distancing. Same din halos ang presyo sa palengke at convenient pa dahil pwedeng-pwedeng lakarin lang. (A lot of people were happy because they no longer need to hustle in the markets so they are not put at risk [to contract the virus]. Social distancing is really practiced because the chosen venues are ventilated and spacious. The prices of the goods are almost the same as those in the market and it is very convenient as it is just a walking distance from their homes.”

It takes a village

The success of the City’s mobile market lies in its partnerships with various stakeholders. The Market Administrator from the partner market forms a group of vendors who will sell four different goods which consists of 1) meat and poultry, 2) vegetables and fruits, 3) seafood and 4) grocery items. The groups may form as many groups as they can, which in turn, can be assigned to different areas far from the marketplaces.

Four (4) e-trikes will be assigned per group, with each trike carrying food and non-food essentials. The City Government will compensate the e-trike drivers Php 500 per day for their services which include picking up the goods from the vendors at the pickup point and bringing them to the selling area, helping maintain social distancing during selling period, and assisting the vendor in bringing their merchandise back home.

The City Government of Valenzuela has also enlisted the help of the barangays to identify the most ideal areas where the Market on Wheels will stay. The barangays are likewise responsible for assigning tanods who will look after the peace and order situation and ensure that social distancing is strictly observed.

Afterwards, the City’s Clean and Green Disinfection Team conducts surface disinfection on the respective venues.

Moving along

On March 31, Market on Wheels will stay at the Tagalag Barangay Hall, 3S Center Pasolo, 3S Center Maysan (Sto. Rosario, Malabo) and F. Bautista St., Barangay Marulas (in front of the Sta. Clara Office) from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Succeeding venues and schedules will be announced at the Official Facebook Page of Valenzuela City.