Salcedo organic weekend market reopens

The turn out speaks for itself. 

As early as 6:15 early morning last Saturday, Salcedo organic weekend market reopens exactly 92 days after the lockdown. The last time the smells of pork barbeque permeated the surrounding streets of Jaime C. Velasquez Park was on March 14. 

Part of the Velasquez Park, one of the four pocket greenery parks in Makati's CBD, is actually a parking lot that services the offices within the Tordesillas, Bautista, Toledo, Villar streets in Salcedo Village.

It likewise serves as the venue of the biannual contemporary art fair- Art in the Park.

Most of the residents around the plush district were excited, looking forward to the organic market back in operations. There were already shoppers as early as  6:15 a.m. occupying the chairs lined up along Toledo St. set-up by the operators for buyers to wait for their respective turn. 

The early turn out of buyers may also be due to shortened hours of operations as  'early birds' made sure to get in early to do some leisurely shopping as most of them are used to.  Last Saturday the market operated for only four hours from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

Protocols for social distancing and contact tracing were adhered. Only a maximum of 50 individuals is allowed inside, which include the sellers. This is a far cry from the usual hordes that fill the weekend market.
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In compliance to contact tracing each consumer was asked to sign in - name, address and contact details. Prior to their entrance, a Marshall obtains the body temperature of each and every buyer. 

For those familiar with the weekend market, it was noticeable that not all stalls were back in business. Due to social distancing, the wagyu shawarma owned and operated by journalist turned foodie expert Miguel Ongpin and his wife, The Breadery, Mang Boy’s inihaw na Bangus and other Ilocano goodies, Milky Way of brother and sister tandem Chef J. and Malu Gamboa missing. Gourmet café, Aling Ineng’s BBQ, fruit stalls, Manang who sells smoke fish, fresh organic, free range eggs and salted eggs were among the few booths that were allowed to operate and sell their stuff. 

And to ensure that the mandatory physical distance is observed, Marshalls bearing placards were posted strategically within the premises.
Also present were two Makati police wearing camouflage uniforms.

“It’s to maintain peace and order,” whispered a stall operator. 

As expected, going back to business was a success.