ILOILO City – From late afternoon until early evening for some three weeks now, the sidewalk and a portion of the street in front of the provincial capitol are being occupied by vendors despite the city government’s campaign to clear streets and sidewalks of obstructions.
Who gave permission to these vendors?
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. denied giving his blessing to the vendors.
The sidewalk and street surrounding the capitol are not jurisdictions of the provincial government, he explained.
Not a few people, including provincial government employees, have complained about the traffic congestion caused by these vendors.
According to Defensor yesterday, he would be getting in touch with Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas about the vendors.
From what he had gathered, said the governor, the vendors started flocking the capitol sidewalk and portion of Bonifacio Drive on Dec. 2 after the provincial government switched on its Christmas lights and unveiled the newly redeveloped capitol grounds.
“I want to know how the city government manages the traffic situation there,” said Defensor. “Kay ti ara sila sa atubang sang capitol pero indi na ina aton jurisdiction ang traffic.”
The governor also said one of the “house rules” he issued recently to people visiting the capitol to view the Christmas lights was a prohibition on itinerant vendors.
He wanted to make sure the capitol grounds remain free of trash such as plastic food wrappers and plastic bottles, among others.
For his part, Director Ariel Iglesia of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6 reiterated yesterday President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for local chief executives to reclaim public roads and sidewalks being used for private ends.
He also said his office is poised to release a reminder to local government units about it.
Iglesia had observed that some vendors who were removed from sidewalks have started returning.
“We stand by the policy of the department. All public roads and public spaces are for public use, they are beyond the commerce of man,” said Iglesia, citing DILG Memorandum Circular 121-2019.
The director said his office is continuously monitoring road clearing operations of all local government units.
“Hindi puwedeng balikan,” stressed Iglesia, although he acknowledged that sidewalk vending is the main livelihood of vendors, particularly in Iloilo City.
The city government’s road-clearing operation since July has resulted to the relocation of 245 downtown sidewalk vendors to the vacant lot owned by the Cacho family along the downtown street of JM Basa, said Niel Dichupa, president of the city’s sidewalk vendor.
But there are an estimated 1,500 sidewalk vendors across the city.
Last month, 13 vendors were arrested for returning to sidewalks. Personnel of the city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office also confiscated their tables and chairs. Their merchandize, however, were spared.
“We left them with a warning. If they return to the sidewalks again we will seize everything they have,” said PSTMO chief Jeck Conlu.
The vendors were spotted on the sidewalks of Ledesma, JM Basa, Rizal, and Jalandoni streets./PN
