BACOLOD City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 has urged the city government here to closely monitor the activities of ambulant vendors operating along the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway (Banoceh), particularly in the boundary of barangays Sum-ag and Cabug.
The vendors, who typically set up shop from late afternoon onwards, have sparked concerns over public safety. Social media posts highlight the growing number of vendors in the area, posing potential hazards to customers, motorists, and the vendors themselves.
The vendors, organized under the Bag-ong Dalan Cabug Alliance of Small Entrepreneurs (BDCASE), have sought recognition from the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) and requested a designated area conducive to selling their products.
DPWH-6 director Engineer Sanny Boy Oropel, during a visit to the Bacolod City Mayor’s Office on November 19, emphasized the need for local government intervention.
“We cannot entirely prevent vendors, but with proper monitoring, we can manage their growth and prevent further encroachment into the road-right-of-way,” Oropel said.
He stressed, too, that ll road-right-of-way areas are strictly off-limits to any form of encroachment.
For now, DPWH is coordinating with the local government and barangay officials to monitor the area. While permanent structures are not allowed, vendors are temporarily permitted to continue operations due to economic considerations.
Councilor Al Espino, chair of the SP Committee on Transportation and Traffic, acknowledged the vendors’ plight but stressed the highway’s primary purpose.
“The road is meant for public commuting and economic activities. Safety must remain our priority, not just for Bacolod, but for everyone using the highway,” Espino said.
He also clarified that While the SP is responsible for road regulations, enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the local government.
In a related development, the city council is exploring measures to improve traffic flow. The SP recently approved a resolution directing the Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department (BTTMD) to study the feasibility of requiring all trucks, large vehicles, and heavy equipment to exclusively use the Banoceh Highway.
This proposal aims to ease congestion along the Circumferential Road, particularly in Barangay Villamonte, which experiences heavy traffic during peak hours./PN
