ANGELES CITY – Pampang – the premier palengke of the city – comprised the poster place of the utter failure of social, er, physical distancing imposed in the enhanced community quarantine.
The sheer number of bodies, pressing against one another, along the aisles of the market – the wet section, specifically – conjured apocalyptic fears in the internet, coursing criticisms, if not denunciations, to city hall.
On Monday, March 30, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatininitiated a market-on-wheels program dubbed Mobile Pampang Market that will move around the 33 barangays to sell rice, meat, frozen foods, eggs, condiments, and other basic food supplies, presumably at “Pampang prices.”
“Because we are experiencing overcrowding at our public markets, we need alternative ways to provide the needs of the public while following social distancing and safety protocols amid the coronavirus disease,” the mayor said.
To start rolling April 2, the mobile market will hit barangays Sapangbato, Margot, Anunas, Amsic, Malabanias, Cutcut, and Sto. Rosario.
Initially, only two Mobile Pampang Market will roll but by April 4, four mobile markets will be operational citywide.
The schedule of the mobile markets in every barangay will be posted on the Angeles City Information Office Facebook page.
As this developed, marketgoers suggested to the city government that the mobile markets display a price list of their goods on the sides of the vehicles to facilitate transactions.
