ILOILO City – The annual fiesta of Jaro district is on Feb. 2 yet but kiosks selling various goodies have already started mushrooming on the streets around the district plaza, causing traffic congestion.
City hall’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu said he would deploy a special team of traffic enforcers to direct the flow of vehicles around the plaza.
Conlu lamented that the in-charge of the annual Jaro Agro-Industrial and Charity Fair has not coordinated with the PSTMO regarding the bazaar and perya at Jaro Plaza.
“Ako gani nakibot man. Nagsugod na sila da. Wala pa sila may ginplastar sa akon with regards sa pag-regulate sang mga kiosks,” said Conlu.
The in-charge of the Jaro Agro-Industrial and Charity Fair whom he identified as Barangay Captain Jeryl Arguelles must keep in touch with his office, said Conlu.
The PSTMO chief said placing the kiosks inside Jaro Plaza instead of outside it would be the better arrangement so as to clear of obstructions the streets around the plaza.
Last year, Iloilo City mayor Jose Espinosa ordered the partial closure of Plaza Rizal Street for a month – from Jan. 8 to Feb. 8 – as part of the 2018 Jaro Agro-Industrial and Charity Fair to mark the annual Feb. 2 Jaro fiesta.
Through an executive order, he allowed vendors to construct temporary kiosks on the street.
But the road closure garnered adverse reactions especially from jeepney drivers./PN
