ILOILO City – The city government has implemented new restrictions on the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard, including a ban on on-site cooking of street food, in a move to enhance cleanliness and improve traffic flow in the area.
Engineer Neil Ravena, head of the General Services Office (GSO), explained that the decision was prompted by visible damage caused by cooking oils and burnt residue on the pavement.
“We’ve noticed grease stains and burns from cooking oil that have permanently marked the bricks along the boulevard. These stains are difficult to remove and harm the overall cleanliness of the area,” Ravena said.
In addition to the ban on on-site cooking, the city has also restricted parking on the right side of the road heading toward Oton, Iloilo. Ravena emphasized that the move aims to ease traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours when vehicles heading to Oton cause bottlenecks.
“In the afternoons, there is a heavy volume of vehicles passing through the area. This new restriction aims to improve traffic flow and public safety,” he explained.
The Task Force Sunset Boulevard, in collaboration with former senator Franklin Drilon, is set to hold small group discussions to ensure the smooth implementation of the new restrictions. One of their priorities is finding alternative solutions for the street food vendors affected by the ban.
Local officials from Oton have expressed support for the initiative, recognizing the importance of maintaining order in the area.
The city government committed to address any potential disruptions to vendors’ businesses while balancing public safety and support for local livelihoods./PN
