BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is eyeing to regulate ambulant vendors in winged vans selling bananas in large volumes.
SP Committee on Transportation and Traffic chairperson Councilor Al Victor Espino proposed to amend City Ordinance No. 09-17-818, or “An ordinance establishing the tow-away zones in various streets of the city, allowing the impounding of vehicles through the issuance of impounding receipts, and providing necessary fees and penalties for violations thereof.”
During a regular session last week, Committee on Markets chairperson Councilor Celia Flor raised with the city council that these winged vans were illegally parked in some areas of the city, particularly in the three major markets—Libertad, Burgos and Central—and were causing traffic congestion.
An initial report reached Espino that these winged vans selling bananas were from Mindanao and do not have business permits issued by the city.
Espino said they are now documenting the winged vans, adding they are disadvantageous to local vendors who were compliant in doing business.
Under the city ordinance, a penalty of P800 will be imposed for illegal parking violators.
Violators will also pay P300 for the wheel clamp for sedan-type vehicles, P400 for medium-sized vehicles, and P500 for heavy-sized vehicles. For towing, the violating driver will pay P1,000 for light-sized vehicles, P1,200 for medium-sized vehicles, and P1,400 for heavy vehicles. A penalty of P4,000 will be imposed for the illegal removal of wheel clamps.
For colorum operations, a penalty of P5,000 for 4-wheel vehicles and P2,000 for motorcycles.
In impounding a vehicle, the 1st offense is P150 per day for 1 to 3 months, the 2nd offense is P300 per day for 3 to 4 months, and the 3rd offense is P450 per day for 5 to 6 months./PN
