ILOILO City – Selling flowers and candles along sidewalks leading to cemeteries, public or private, this Nov. 1 and 2 (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day) here is prohibited.
The only areas where flower and candle vendors are allowed to do business in this southern city are public markets and public plazas, according to city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu.
In the City Proper, these vendors would be accommodated in the property of businessman Alfonso Tan (along the intersection of Iznart and Arroyo streets) from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, said Conlu.
“Ang magabaligya outside dira dakpon naton,” he added.
Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered the PSTMO to make sure all roads and sidewalks, especially those leading to cemeteries, are free from obstructions.
As ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte, the city government has been seeing to it that all public roads and sidewalks are free from obstructions that include sidewalk vendors.
Beginning January 2020, Treñas also announced recently, all district plazas would be off-limits to all kinds of trade fairs and fiesta activities.
This policy is in keeping with Presidential Decree 1216 which provides that parks are for public use and therefore “beyond the commerce of men.”
“The entrance of cemeteries, both public and private, must be free from obstructions, too. No vendors will be allowed,” said Conlu.
The city government has started accepting applications for special permits allowing flower and candle vendors to do business in public plazas and markets.
Conlu said the fees are: P100 for barangay permit, P200 for special business permit, plus a certain amount electricity connection if the vendors would like to have one.
There are an estimated 168 flower vendors in the City Proper; in the whole city, there are around 500, said Conlu.
All PSTMO personnel will be required to work from Oct.30 to Nov.2.
Ilonggos traditionally mark All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day by going to cemeteries to pay respects to their dead family members, relatives and friends. They offer flowers and prayers, and light candles./PN
