Vendors say stores demanding rent

CEBU, Philippines - Several of the more than 100 vendors who attended the meeting with the Squatters Prevention Encroachment and Elimination Division yesterday had complained of store owners who allegedly demand rent from them for occupying the space outside the establishments.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the establishments complained of, but Noel Artes, head of SPEED, assured to bring the matter up before the city legal office.

Artes said only the city tax collectors are authorized to collect “arkabalas” or fees from the sidewalk vendors, thus, it is illegal for store owners to demand for rentals from the vendors for occupying the space of the sidewalk outside their stores.

Some of those who complained said they are paying monthly rentals of P200 to P300, depending on the size of their stalls.

The policy of then mayor and now South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña was that the vendors are free to sell their wares in sidewalks on condition that the establishment owners in the area will not complain of their existence.

Artes called for the meeting yesterday to relay to the vendors the “one side vending” policy recently ordered by Mayor Michael Rama. Those who attended the meeting are affiliated with at least five vendors groups.

Artes said the sidewalks of Colon Street along the side of Gaisano Main from D. Jakosalem shall be cleared of vendors starting two weeks from now, meaning the vendors are only allowed to sell their wares at the other side of the street.

“Ako sila nga gipahibalo nga sugdan na namo pagpatuman ang pagpatuman sa one side vending policy ni mayor Rama duha ka semana gikan karon. Daghan nila nakasabot man sa tumong sa mayor,” Artes said.

Artes also said the vendors will be discouraged from using umbrellas because these will make the roadside ugly. Still, some of the vendors said they will seek reconsideration on this aspect.

Artes also encouraged the vendors to make uniform stalls, preferably two and four feet in size, and to have them painted.

Rama has assured the public that the city’s sidewalks would already be easily passable a few weeks from now.

Traffic enforcers have since complained that the vendors’ operations in sidewalks have made it difficult for pedestrians that many opt to walk right on the roadside, exposing themselves to the risk of being hit by speeding vehicles and making motorists to drive slow.

Also yesterday, Rama said there is no stopping the implementation of the “one side vending” policy. 

“One-side vending allows vendors to stay on the sidewalk on one side of the road. This frees up the sidewalk on the other side of the road for pedestrians, who don’t intend to buy anything to use,” Rama said.

Rama said he also wants tourists to know that sidewalks in the city do accommodate pedestrians.

On Thursday, The Power United Vendors threatened to stage a picket rally because the city has not been fair to them when they implemented the new policy.

“What’s wrong with one side vending? They want to occupy the whole sidewalk?” Rama said.

“It’s about time and they knew that already. I’ve been repeating that we have to put order and create a situation where foreigners, visitors, when they come to Cebu City, somehow, there is still an element where they can be appreciative, that they could walk without being disturbed,” he added.

Rama said that vendors must not think only of themselves because in the first place, their existence in the sidewalks is illegal under a city ordinance.

But Rama reiterated that he does not intend to rid these vendors their means of livelihood.

“I’m not saying they will be removed. But we have to put order to everything. Whoever are trying to oppose are trying to create more disturbance that be of help in creating stability in our sidewalk, orderliness and cleanliness,” Rama said. — Rene U. Borromeo, Jessica Ann R. Pareja and Karen Joy S. Vicentillo /JMO (THE FREEMAN)