ILOILO City – Displaced sidewalk vendors relocated at the vacant Cacho lot along JM Basa Street won’t be required to pay rent for a year.
No less than Panay Electric Co. administrative manager Marcelo Cacho brought them the good news during a visit on Wednesday, according to Jimmy Dorado, federation president of the city’s sidewalk vendors.
“Nalipay gid kami,” said Dorado, because it could help ease their financial difficulties.
Cacho also promised to further improve the area to ensure the comfort of the vendors and customers, said Dorado.
“Sang wala ‘ya pa kami naistorya pinsar namon indi kami magdugay diri,” he added.
After one year, according to the city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu, the Cachos and vendors would discuss the rental rate.
PSTMO led the road and sidewalk clearing operations that displaced the vendors.
The road clearing was in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to local government units to reclaim public roads being used for private ends.
Dorado said there more than 254 vendors’ stalls at the Cacho property.
“Ga-amat-amat na kami adjust sa amon sitwasyon. We hope nga mahuman tani ang plano kag maplastar kami sang maayo,” said Dorado./PN
