Vendors' group opposes Rama's new policy

CEBU, Philippines - A vendors’ organization plans to hold a picket in objection to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s “one-side vending policy.”

The Power United Vendors (PUV) headed by Macoy Mañacap, a vendor in Colon St., also accused those implementing the new policy of failing to give vendors equal treatment.

A vendor who requested not to be named suspects politics is involved.

“Wala mi tagai ug arrangement pagkahuman sa ilang demolish, pero ang uban nga naninda gi tagaan man. Murag ang ilang trabaho gisagulan man ug politika, naa man silay gipaboran. Mao na amu gi hangyo nga tagaan unta mi ug maayong pwesto kung ila ming ipa demolish,” the vendor said. (They did not provide us with any alternative place to sell in after we were demolished, but the others were given. It seems politics is involved.)

Rama is implementing the “one-side vending policy” particularly along Colon St. and other busy streets in the city. This is to clean up the streets and improve their appearance, as well as decongest these areas.

Mañacap told The FREEMAN that they will question the new policy before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

If the City really plans to implement this, they call on the City to give equal treatment for all vendors.

A vendor who has been in the business for 30 years now said that they were not even informed in advance before members of the Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division (Speed) conducted the demolition last July 7.

“Gi diretso ra man mi ug demolish, wa jud sila nagpahibaw daan ana. Nakurat nalang mi nga nabalhin among stall sa kilid apan wa silay gipakita nga notice namo nga naa silay katungod na mag demolish sa amo nga mga manindahay,” she said. (We were very much surprised to see our stalls already being transferred as we were not given prior notice.)

The vendor also said that they are disappointed by the implementation of the new policy because through the years, they were free to sell their wares without interference from City Officials.

“Karon ra jud mi gi ingnani, kay sa mga ming labay nga mga opisyales sa Sugbu wa man mi hilabti, gi sugtan raman mi diri nga mamaligya,” she added.

The Freeman tried to get statements from Speed but its chief, Noel Artes, said they will answer all the vendors’ concerns in a meeting with the vendors’ group today. —THE FREEMAN