Cotabato City – July 2025
There is no denying that Cotabato City is in need of order, system, and a vision for the future. Under the leadership of Mayor Bruce Matabalao, this vision is slowly taking shape—roads are being cleared, sidewalks opened, and informal terminals dismantled. Most recently, however, a bold move by the City Government to remove illegal vendors around the Cotabato City Plaza has stirred public debate, evoking emotions and forcing residents to look at a difficult but necessary conversation: how do we balance urban order with human livelihood?
A Mayor’s Mandate: The Pursuit of Order
Mayor Matabalao’s recent clearing operations around the City Plaza, particularly along Magallanes Street, were meant to address a persistent urban challenge—street obstructions, illegal vending, and traffic congestion in the heart of the city. Stalls had encroached on roadways, causing both vehicular and pedestrian inconvenience. Worse, some vendors operated without permits and allegedly contributed to illegal parking problems and informal “kotong” schemes, all under the nose of a city trying to reclaim its dignity and function.
The mayor was firm in his position: “We are fixing our beloved city. There will be pain, but more will benefit. In the end, Cotabateños will appreciate the result.” In many ways, this is leadership in its most decisive form—direct, uncompromising, and purpose-driven. His message was clear: this is not about punishment, but correction; not demolition, but restoration.
To the city government’s credit, the vendors were never permanently banned from selling. The mayor himself said their situation is being “fixed,” and that they are part of the vision. The long-term goal is not elimination, but relocation and legal integration.
Yet, therein lies the problem—not in the intention, but in the execution.
The Vendors’ Lament: Too Fast, Too Soon
For many of the affected vendors, the implementation felt abrupt and devoid of human touch. No formal notice was given, and the crackdown was executed swiftly—many waking up to find their only source of daily income shut down. Emotions flared. Some wept. Others pleaded. A few publicly apologized and vowed to comply with future regulations, asking only for time.
These vendors, while technically in the wrong for operating illegally, are not criminals. They are mothers, fathers, breadwinners—daily wage earners who found survival in the only space left to them. They are informal entrepreneurs in a system that has long failed to create enough livelihood options. For them, this plaza was not just a market—it was life itself.
The Bigger Picture: Two Realities, One City
Both sides of this issue carry undeniable truths. The mayor is right in wanting to fix the city. We cannot continue tolerating unregulated growth that breeds chaos, tax evasion, and unfair competition. Legal vendors who pay rent and taxes have long complained that informal vendors undercut their prices while occupying public land rent-free.
But the vendors are also right to feel blindsided. Abrupt policies without transitional plans breed resentment and fear. Good governance is not only about enforcement—it is about inclusion, consultation, and gradual transformation. A truly compassionate city does not just remove—it also repositions. It does not just prohibit—it provides.
A Call for Compassionate Governance
Mayor Matabalao’s campaign for a cleaner, more organized Cotabato City is admirable and necessary. But as the city moves forward, it must carry everyone with it—not just the privileged few who can afford legal stalls or permits, but also the marginalized who only need a chance to become legitimate contributors.
This means:
- Clear communication. Informal vendors must be given prior notice, clear guidelines, and timelines.
- Transition support. Temporary relocation sites must be provided, with a plan to help vendors acquire proper permits.
- Livelihood assistance. The City Government can partner with DTI, TESDA, or DOLE for training, micro-financing, and skills support.
- Fair enforcement. No selective application of the law—rules must be applied to all vendors, terminals, and establishments equally.
The Path Forward: Inclusive Urban Renewal
Cotabato City stands at a crossroads: to evolve into a modern urban center or to continue drowning in disorder. But progress must not come at the cost of the vulnerable. Discipline must be tempered with empathy. Justice must walk hand-in-hand with mercy.
Mayor Matabalao has made a bold step forward. But now, he must take the harder step—to listen. To listen to the cries of vendors who are willing to follow the rules, if only they are given time and space to adapt. To embrace the complexity of change, where not every solution is swift and not every disruption is progress.
Let us fix our city, yes. But let us also fix the way we include people in that change.
For a city that dreams of a better tomorrow, the best path forward is one where no one is left behind.