Vendors ask City Hall to allow them to sell in downtown area

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Sidewalk vendors in the downtown area who were moved to the Vendors’ Plaza due to the road clearing operations appealed to Mayor Evelio Leonardia to allow them to go back to their old spots in time for Christmas.

The vendors asked Leonardia to allow them to sell in the downtown area from Dec 1 to 30, 2019.

Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda said fruit vendors also appealed to the mayor to allow them at the Bacolod Public Plaza.

The vendors claimed that their sales were adversely affected since they relocated to the Vendors’ Plaza, which has less traffic and buyers compared to the downtown area.

Pineda said the concerns of the sidewalk vendors were endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

He also said that about 380 sidewalk vendors are qualified to be awarded stalls at the Bacolod Vendors Plaza following the clearing operation conducted by the city last Sept 1.

“Only a few availed of their stalls while some returned to the downtown area claiming that their livelihood has been affected since they do not have customers at the Bacolod Vendors Plaza,” Pineda said.

Pineda said while vendors are not allowed to return to the downtown area, some try to dodge the team of the City Legal Enforcement Unit who are trying to ensure that the sidewalks are cleared of vendors.

He said the city is now processing the vendors’ livelihood assistance.