Mayor Bing assures support for vendors as road clearing starts

BACOLOD City – The removal of illegal structures on market roads in Bacolod City has begun

To address the concerns of affected vendors, Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia called for a dialogue at the Bacolod City Government Center’s (BCGC) main lobby on Aug. 8, 2019.

As he appealed for cooperation and understanding, Leonardia assured the vendors of support from the city government.

“No matter how busy my schedule, I would always find ways to meet the vendors to cater to their concerns,” Leonardia said.

The demolition in public markets was conducted following the directive from President Duterte to rid streets of illegal structures. Sidewalk vendors doing business near markets were affected.

The Department of Interior and Local Government on July 29, 2019 issued a memorandum giving local government units 60 calendar days to produce “significant results” relative to the directive that Duterte announced during his 4th State of the Nation Address.

Leonardia said he understands the sentiment of the vendors but stressed that they have to “face the reality” especially since the order is being implemented nationwide.

The vendors were given until Saturday (Aug. 10, 2019) to operate on market sidewalks. On Sunday morning (Aug. 11, 2019), they are expected to vacate the streets and transfer to the fish section inside the market in Ballesteros.

Leonardia reminded the vendors of discipline. He added that they should keep the market area clean “for the benefit of everyone.”

Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who was also at the dialogue, said Leonardia has been hurled with criticisms regarding the road clearing operations but stressed that the mayor “did not lose his love for his people, especially the vendors.”

Aside from Leonardia and Familiaran, Councilor Bartolome Orola, City Administrator John Orola, Administrative Officer IV and concurrent Market Supervisor Atty. Allyn Luv Zamora-Dignadice, Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda, and Bacolod Traffic Office head Police Lieutenant Colonel Luisito Acebuche were also present during the dialogue.