Parañaque adopts new tack vs illegal vendors

The city government of Parañaque is now planning to reinvent Baclaran’s Redemptorist Road through the establishment of a "walking mall" which officials hope will solve the area’s perennial problem with illegal vendors.

Mayor Jun Bernabe said the idea is to put up uniform vending stalls from the sidewalks of Taft Avenue all the way to Roxas Boulevard.

According to him, the establishment of a "walking mall" in Baclaran forms part of his top priority projects for the year.

Bernabe expects that the project will eliminate the perennial violent clashes between illegal vendors and demolition teams of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

"We have to speed up the bidding for the development of the mall before the election ban on public works takes effect," he told The STAR. "If that is accomplished, the mall should be ready by the middle of the year. Otherwise, we cannot start the construction."

Last January, 56 illegal vendors in Baclaran clashed anew with personnel of the MMDA Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group personnel.

One person was killed while three others were wounded after owners of makeshift stalls and those illegally selling merchandise near the Redemptorist Church resisted and allegedly attacked the agency’s men.

Bernabe said the walking mall will hopefully solve the problem or at least lessen it since it will give vendors a place to sell their wares.

He said the city government has the money to do it and will try to begin and finish the project at the soonest possible time.

Bernabe announced that for the second time around, Paranaque City ended year 2006 with positive financial footing after posting a revenue collection of P1.6 billion which reflects an increase of 21 percent compared to that of 2005.

He said the 2006 revenue is based only on local taxes and does not include the Internal Revenue Allocation of P3l4 million from the national government, which would easily bring the total take to almost P2 billion.

Bernabe expressed confidence that with more funds, the city government will again be in a position to implement its wide-range infrastructure development program and increase allocations to upgrade the facilities and equipment for on-going programs on education, health care and medical services, peace and order, environmental sanitation, cultural and tourism, youth and sports development, and city-wide beautification.

He attributed the notable increase in tax collection to the continued support and cooperation being given by city taxpayers.

"I sincerely thank the taxpayers in Parañaque whose support and cooperation have made it possible for the city government to develop and implement various programs and projects for the benefit not only of city residents but also for those transacting business with city hall."

Bernabe also announced that he has approved and signed a local ordinance extending the payment of all business taxes, fees and charges without penalties or charges from Jan. 20 to Jan. 3l, provided that the application for renewal of a business permit has been filed on or before Jan. 26, 2007 at the City Business Permit and License Office (BPLO) and the taxes, fees and charges due have been assessed by the City Treasurer’s Office.