SURIGAO CITY – City Mayor Ernesto Matugas has granted the request of the 52-stall owners to defer the demolition of their stalls in front of the city central public market, City Vice Mayor Danilo Menor said yesterday, May 19.

Menor said the affected parties were supposed to be transferred at the city’s jeep and bus terminal in Brgy. Luna but “because of their appeal for deferment, the city mayor acceded to their request subject to the condition that this will be their last extension.”

According to Menor, the stall owners – most of whom are of Maranao descent were asked to execute an undertaking or a promise to voluntarily vacate their stalls and stores as soon as Gaisano Capital Mall will commence their operation.

“If our Muslim brothers will not comply with the agreement then the city government will be forced to relocate them,” Menor added.

Just yesterday morning, the city government was scheduled to demolish the 52 stalls in front of the city central public market in Borromeo Street insisting that the stalls they occupied remain a parking space and should be free from any obstruction but tension rose after traders resisted the city’s move. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)