Quezon City sets compassionate policy for street vendors

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has directed local officials and enforcers to always implement a “compassionate policy” when dealing with hawkers and street vendors.

“In light of the continuing hardships arising from the pandemic, law enforcement shall maintain a policy of compassionate treatment of street vendors and the like. There shall be no confiscation of goods,” she said in recently approved supplemental guidelines for the Christmas season.

Under the guidelines, stall vendors, hawkers, street vendors and ambulant micro-entrepreneurs should have a hawker’s permit from the city’s Market Development and Administration Department.

Vendors must be fully vaccinated, use face masks, have alcohol bottles ready for convenient disinfection by staff and customers and must observe physical distancing at all times.

They were also reminded to prominently display their stall or vendor numbers, and strictly observe the demarcation lines between stalls and keep their areas clean and orderly at all times.

Those selling fireworks are required to obtain an additional clearance from the city’s Department of Public Order and Safety and implement additional safety requirements.

Bazaars OK’d

The city government also allowed holiday bazaars during the Christmas season, provided that they have fully vaccinated traders, salespersons, exhibitors, organizers and other personnel.

They should also comply with various protocols, such capacity limit, setting up of queuing areas with thermal scanning and the use of the KyusiPass digital contact tracing app.

They were also encouraged to hold al fresco or outdoor events whenever possible.

Shopping malls were reminded to request customers to present a vaccine card prior to entry.

“However, if a person does not have a vaccination card, he or she may still be allowed to enter, provided that the establishment should take the name, contact number and barangay of the unvaccinated customer and submit the same to the city government for vaccination purposes,” read the guidelines.