CH allows return of sidewalk vendors

CEBU, Philippines —  Ambulant vendors were allowed to return to the sidewalks and streets in Cebu City as they were found compliant with the city’s vending rules.

Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) head Raquel Arce said street and sidewalk vendors did not commit any violations following inspections Monday.

She said they were given the go signal to return to their respective vending areas under a 30-day experimental period, which was recommended by Garbo Asenso Sumbanan Alyansa (GASA).

GASA, in a resolution, said the experimental period aims at studying the possibility of allowing the vendors to permanently sell on sidewalks.

Under the 30-day experimental period, the vendors are allowed to sell four days a week or every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday starting July 2.

Arce said the outcome of the experimental period will determine whether or not an ordinance will be proposed to regulate sidewalk/street vending.

“Timbang-timbangon and kun makita during experimental period nga pwede ra diay ra ma-blend ang pedestrian ug ang vendor,” she said.

Arce said the city government is giving ambulant vendors an opportunity to earn a living through street vending.

“Gitugutan sa atong mayor nga mobalik sila sa ilahang tagsa-tagsa area arong paghatag og higayon kanila,” she said.

While there were no violations found, the PROBE head said it does not mean that the vendors are already fully disciplined.

“So far, no violations. But wa nagpasabot nga disiplinado na sila. Maybe wa ta’y nakita nga violation because it was a scheduled inspection. Atong gi-check ug gi-verify kun ni takdo ba o niha-um sila sa atong policies and guidelines nga gipatuman,” she said.

Policies include the observance of the 2.5-meter distance from street posts to avoid obstructions and of the set schedules.

Present during Monday’s inspections were Councilor Renato Osmeña, Jr., the chairman of the City Council's Committee on Markets, and other city officials.

They inspected Colon Street, Osmeña Boulevard, Magallanes Street, V. Gullas St. (former Manalili Street), Plaridel Street, Leo Kilat Street, and portions of Sanciangko and Jakosalem streets.

Arce said street vendors were listed under the PROBE’s inventory to be submitted to GASA so that they will be considered regulated vendors.

“Willing raman sila mo-adopt sa changes and sa atong policies,” she said.

But if there would be complaints from the public or the pedestrians, Arce said, they might strip vendors of their privilege to sell on the streets.

In 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte, through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), ordered clearing streets and sidewalks from obstructions. — Deogracia William Bemida, Silliman University Intern, KQD (FREEMAN)