Wowee Market vendors clash with blasting music in Pasay City Hall rally

Wowee Market vendors held a protest on Monday morning, January 12, in front of Pasay City Hall, calling on the local government to reopen the market and issue a permit that would allow them to resume operations.

The protest, led by the Wowee Market Vendors Association, condemned the market closure upheld by the Pasay City local government on December 19 last year without prior notice. The said closure resulted in the loss of their primary source of income, affecting nearly 200 vendors and their families, as well as thousands of loyal customers from Pasay and other places relying on Wowee Market’s affordable prices.

The protesters further stressed that the closure also led to financial losses as perishable goods such as vegetables and meat were left unsold during the holiday season, which is typically a peak period for sales. 

“Nais naming bigyang-diin na kami ay mga karaniwang mamamayan na umaasa sa araw-araw na kita upang matustusan ang pagkain, gamot, at pag-aaral ng aming mga anak,” the group said in a joint statement.

The vendors also highlighted concerns over the lack of due process, saying the abrupt closure was implemented without prior notice, consultation, or explanation— leaving them no time to prepare or seek alternative sources of income. They added that such closure also violated their basic right to livelihood, recognized under the Constitution and principles of social justice, and called on the local government to implement regulations humanely and fairly.

During the demonstration, vendors attempted to air their grievances while police were stationed in the area to block them from entering the city hall. Meanwhile, these were met with loud music playing from inside the building, which some protesters described as “drowning” their voices, alongside reported warnings of possible water dispersal that further heightened tension at the site.

“Wag niyo naman po kaming lunurin! Lunod na nga sa problema eh,” shouted one of the vendors as the city hall speakers’ volume was raised.

Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano has yet to publicly respond to the vendors’ demands, as protesters continue to call on her to face them and engage in dialogue over the reopening of Wowee Market.