City mulls removing railings off Sto. Niño vendors' stalls

City authorities are now planning to remove the iron railings installed in front of the stalls of the Santo. Niño vendors along D. Jakosalem Street, and anything displayed for sale outside their stalls would be confiscated.

Urban poor consultant Gerry Marquez said these railings were installed-one meter from the stalls to the roadside-to protect passers-by and buyers from passing motorists.

The purpose however was defeated because some vendors managed to go past these railings to sell their goods while others even sawed off portions of these to allow people easier access to their stalls.

These defied the terms reached in a recent dialogue at the City Hall where the group of Santo Niño vendors, headed by Hayde "Basan" Amora, and Engr. Ernie Albaran agreed that no tables to display their wares would be put up in front of the vendor's stalls.

Constantino, Basan's father, wished the city would implement strictly the agreement. He admitted extending his displays to the railings because others have been doing so without letup. "Igo na lang ko nga misundog kay wala man g'yod badlonga sa City Hall kanang uban diha," he said.

The vendors who are now occupying the sidewalk of D. Jakosalem used to occupy the area along Osmeña Boulevard, but Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered the demolition of their stalls due to traffic flow obstruction.

Osmeña had provided these vendors the chance to occupy the concrete stalls at D. Jakosalem, built by Young Builders Corporation and donated to the city. The vendors use these free from any charge, tax or rentals. - Rene U. Borromeo