City to use police power should vendors insist on current location

Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday said he will not hesitate to exercise the city's police power should sidewalk vendors continue to insist to be on their current location.

The city is bound to demolish the stalls of these sidewalk vendors should they resist compliance with the conditions set by the City Traffic Operations Management for them to continue vending in city streets.

The CITOM has recommended at least 1.5-meter leeway for pedestrians to be able to use the sidewalks.

"If they just don't want to move then we'll have to exercise police power," Osmeña said.

Of the 14 streets CITOM earlier found to be problematic, only five are recommended to be open for vending, including Colon and Magallanes streets and Fuente Osmeña. The nine other streets are recommended cleared of vendors.

These include B. Rodriguez Street, from Fuente Osmeña Rotunda to corner B. Rodriguez Extension, C. Solon Drive, N. Bacalso Avenue from South Bus Terminal to Elizabeth Mall.

P. Lopez Street beside the University of San Jose-Recoletos, Legazpi Street near Young's Terminal, Panganiban Street near Cebu City Medical Center, Leon Kilat Street from Gaisano South to Sanciangko and corner Colon Street, junction of Salinas Drive and Gorordo Avenue from Escario to Archbishop Reyes Avenue.

Over two weeks ago, Osmeña gave the vendors two weeks to relocate peacefully or they would be forcibly made to vacate. Those he considers nuisances are stalls that hamper pedestrians to use the sidewalks and force them to walk in the main street especially during peak hours.

In its report, CITOM identified Colon Street, Fuente Osmeña Rotunda, junction of Salinas Drive and Gorordo Avenue, B. Rodriguez Street, Jose Solon Drive, N. Bacalso Avenue, Magallanes Street, P. Lopez Street, Osmeña Boulevard, P. del Rosario Street, Legaspi Street, Pelaez Street, Panganiban Street and Leon Kilat Street as having the most number of sidewalk vendors. Osmeña reiterated that no relocation site will be provided for the vendors. - Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV