Stricter rules for purchase order vendors in Colon

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government wants to regulate further the operation of purchase order (PO) vendors in Colon Street.

“Sa among nakita diha, ang mga PO (vendors) karon murag nagkagubot ba. Niya murag nakahatag sad og kasamok sa sidewalk,” said Gerry Marquez, Executive Director of Garbo Asenso Sumbanan Alyansa.

GASA is a group under the office of the mayor tasked to regulate the sidewalk vendors in the city.

Marquez said the city government has called the attention of the vendors the other day purposely to call their attention on the regulation plan.

“So usa sa among gipahibaw nga kanang gitawag nato og one side vending (should be followed). Dili sila mag-atbang (to be organized),” he said.

Marquez said only purchase orders cards must be sold in the area.

“Ato sad na-obserbahan mag-manicure mangaon so gipadili na nato. Ang importante lang gyud nga organized,” Marquez said.

He said there should only be one vendor from a family. “Kay usahay gud, sa usa ka pamilya, upat kabuok ang ang apil,” said Era Tolentino one of the PO vendors and Vice President of the PO Vendors Association under GASA.

“Zero growth policy. Kon nilarga, dili puwede pulihan. Mas maayo magkagamay nungka makadaghan. In fact, on the plan kani sila isyuhan Identification Card. No ID, no vending,” he said.

He also said that only those 57 PO vendors who are on the list and are members of the PO Vendors Association will be allowed to sell.

GASA will also assign each vendor a designated area.

“Dili magbalhin-balhin para mahapsay. Gidili sad namo ang magkaway- kaway samok man. Lingkod ra gyud mo paghuwat mo duolon,” he said.

GASA will be monitoring the vendors to make sure they will follow the policies. Those who will not will be expelled. —/JMO (FREEMAN)