The Sabalu Farmers Market Association had been using a portion of the Garapan Fishing Base for their Tuesday market.
Since the mayor’s office was allowed by DPL to hold Liberation Day activities in the area until July 23, the farmers relocated their market to the parking area of the Kristo Rai Church across from the fishing base.
Local farmer Isidoro Cabrera said they pay $150 to the church every Tuesday for the use of the parking lot and power.
“The farmers have operated in the parking lot for nine Tuesdays already and we’ve already spent hundreds of dollars for that,” he said.
The relocation is very disadvantageous to the group, he added.
DPL Secretary Oscar M. Babauta has yet to respond to the request of Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores who wants to continue using the Liberation activity center at the fishing base as a community event venue.
Cabrera said the mayor has offered them the use of the existing carnival booths in the area for their Tuesday market.
But the farmers prefer an open area since they have their own make-shift tents, Cabrera added.
He said they have already discussed their concerns with the mayor who, in turn, is still waiting for DPL’s response.
