City strictly monitors Santo Niño vendors

To prevent overcrowding, the Cebu City government has only allowed nine stalls to occupy the cleared portion at corner D. Jakosalem St. and Osmeña Boulevard.

But Sto. Niño Sidewalk Vendors Association president Haide “Basan” Amora insisted to put up a makeshift stall in the area even if he is excluded from the list.

The space was used to be occupied by more than 10 stalls before they were demolished by the city’s Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division.

Urban poor consultant Gerry Marquez said Amora is not among those nine Santo Niño vendors he recommended to be allowed to vend in the area because Amora has been occupying already the concrete stalls formerly owned by the Young Builders Corporation.

Amora’s sister Merlinda Batiller, who has some personal differences with her brother, complained that Amora is insisting on putting up a makeshift stall in the vacant space even if he is no longer allowed to do so.

“Paita, Sir nagkadaku na hinoon ang iyang tindahan. Kamo na la’y mahibawo namo, Sir,” she said.

Earlier, Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered the demolition of the makeshift stalls at the corner of D. Jakosalem Street and Osmeña Boulevard after he learned that Amora has abused his power as president of their group.

During the inventory, Marquez has found out that Amora is occupying three of the concrete stalls and just using helpers to man the stalls. Aside from these concrete stalls, it was also learned that he had put up a much bigger stall near the back gate of the Basilica del Santo Niño church.

Batiller said that the vendors who are using improvised rolling stores will continue to operate and sell their images and accessories in unauthorized places if they will not be given a vending space.– Rene U. Borromeo/WAB