Gasataya seeks aid for vendors hit by road clearing

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Alfredo “Greg” Gasataya has directed key city departments to develop livelihood programs for individuals displaced by ongoing road clearing operations.

“We cannot just neglect them,” Gasataya said, acknowledging the risks many vendors took by selling along roadsides.

The city launched the clearing drive last month under Executive Order No. 015 issued by Gasataya, which aims to remove obstructions from roads and sidewalks to improve traffic flow and ensure public safety.

The order enforces City Ordinance No. 09-17-8140 and aligns with Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.

Initial clearing operations have been conducted in Barangay 16, Lopez Jaena, Barangay Bata, and along Circumferential Road.

These include the removal of illegal structures, shanties and a house obstructing a waterway.

Affected individuals were given prior notice and, in some cases, offered compromise arrangements — such as selling from mobile units like tricycles — to vacate the area when needed.

The mayor said the city government will explore ways to support their livelihoods without forcing them to return to prohibited public spaces.

The City Legal Enforcement Team, in coordination with the City Engineer’s Office, Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department and local barangays, will continue with inspections, notifications and removal of illegal structures.

Affected parties are given a non-extendible 10-day notice to vacate, after which the city may proceed with demolition at the owner’s expense.

To maintain cleared areas, barangays are tasked with ensuring ongoing compliance.

“That’s where the barangays come in — to maintain and ensure the continuity of the program,” Gasataya said.

The executive order emphasizes that road obstructions such as illegal structures, street vending encroachments, unauthorized parked vehicles and other public space violations pose hazards to safety, hinder mobility and infringe on public order and pedestrian rights.

A City Road Clearing Task Force led by Gasataya is composed of city and police officials, engineers, legal officers and representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The task force is responsible for overseeing implementation, monitoring barangay compliance and recommending sanctions for noncompliance.

Failure or refusal to act shall constitute “neglect of duty” under the Local Government Code and may result in administrative penalties, according to the executive order.