By: Emme Rose Santiagudo
As the holidays approach, demand for gifts, decors, and other retail items is rising, especially in the downtown area of Iloilo City.
But Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) warned that sidewalk vendors are still prohibited from selling on the sidewalks.
PSTMO head Jeck Conlu reiterated the warning in a phone interview Friday after their office caught 13 vendors on the sidewalks of Ledesma Street, Rizal Street, and Jalandoni Street in City proper.
“May mga sidewalk vendors kita nga nagabalalik sa sidewalks and ang aton office nakadakop sang 13 ka bilog nga mga sidewalk vendors nga lain-lain may mga dala lamesa, pulungkuan, nagabaligya bottled water and iban mga ambulant vendors,” he said.
Despite appeals of vendors to allow them sell for Christmas, Conlu reiterated that obstructions in the sidewalks are still considered illegal under the law.
“May mga appeal na kita halin pa sang una nga operation nga mabalik sila sa Christmas but again ang sidewalk is beyond the commerce of men. Ang aton ya kon may legal basis kita kag indi ya obstruction sa sidewalk, wala man problema kay using the sidewalks violation sa aton ordinances and mandate of the national government,” he stressed.
According to Conlu, vendors caught selling in the sidewalks will receive a warning on their first offense.
Conlu said products of sidewalk vendors will be confiscated in their second offense. Perishable products like fruits and vegetables will be turned over to Balay Dalayunan: A Home for the Boys in Bo. Obrero, Lapuz district
“May mga na-confiscate na kita and unfair gid sa mga sidewalk vendors nga nagasunod sa aton nga layi kay iban nagakalit nga nagabalik sa sidewalks,” he stressed.
He appealed for understanding from the vendors.
“Ang amon napangayo man pag-intindi kay personally indi man namon gusto ma-apektuhan ang pangabuhian nila, ang amon lang kong ano ang legal kag kung ano amon trabaho,” he said.
Conlu said the consumers are slowly adjusting to the new relocation site of the sidewalk vendors.
He added that they are still looking for remedies to ease the burden of the sidewalk vendors.
“Ang amon lang sundon lang naton kay ang aton mga manugbakal naga amat-amat na anad kon diin sila makadto, tultulan naman nila aton pwesto, hopefully makapangita kami sang other remedies nga mabutang ta sila sa other areas nga allowed legally kag mangin mas masako nga area,” Conlu noted.
Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered vendors in the metro to vacate the sidewalks as part of their road clearing operations ordered by the national government.
The vendors were transferred to their new relocation site at the 2,700-square-meter property of Panay Electric Company (PECO) in JM Basa Street, City Proper.
However, the property can accommodate around 254 vendors.
The city government and PECO have promised the vendors to develop the area.
