Sidewalk vendors back on certain conditions

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has announced that sidewalk vendors can sell their wares again starting Saturday, March 31, provided that they follow the city’s protocols.

This after Labella ordered for the closure of the night market on Monday until the state of general community quarantine is lifted.

He placed the city on a 30-day general community quarantine Sunday due to the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis (COVID-19) the country is facing. The quarantine will run until April 14.

Labella said sidewalk vendors must wear mask and apply disinfectants all the time, among his other directives. If they are selling food, they must have hairnets.

He added the vendors must also observe cleanliness and proper social distancing.

The city government already designated areas where the vendors can sell without causing obstruction.

Labella also personally received yesterday the P8 million assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) intended for the city’s displaced vendors.

At least 400 vendors will receive P20,000 worth of goods for their livelihood.

Meanwhile, Labella will have a meeting today with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, bankers association, telecommunication companies, and utility firms about the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

To cushion the impact of the general community quarantine, he is urging the businesses to release the 13th month pay of their workers ahead of time.

He added the city government will provide necessary assistance to the “no work, no pay” workers.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, City Council’s majority floor leader, said they are now looking at proposing an ordinance that would give some leeway or a discount for business establishments.

“We are looking at 50 percent discount of business tax that we can give only for the month of March and April. Amo pa nang gistudyo. This is with the consultation with the councilors and under the instructions of the mayor,” said Garcia. JMD (FREEMAN)