Ambulant vendors out from Salinas

CEBU, Philippines - More than 20 ambulant food vendors operating along the sidewalks of the so-called “JY market” on Gorordo Avenue corner Salinas Drive were not able to sell their goods after City Hall’s demolition team prevented them from occupying the sidewalks.

Market Administrator Raquel Arce, who also heads the City Hall’s Prevention Restoration Order & Beautification Enhancement (Probe), led her personnel in clearing the area as early as 6 o’clock yesterday morning.

The team again went back in the afternoon after Arce received reports that the vendors returned and occupied the place. Arce explained that she is just doing her job to maintain order and to prevent the vendors from obstructing the sidewalks.

She said since the vendors are already occupying the sidewalks, the people are forced to walk along the road and contributed to traffic congestion in the place, specifically because of the presence of several “Habal-habal” drivers waiting for their passengers.

City Hall received complaints from the owners of establishments in the area because the ambulant vendors are already blocking their premises.

Mayor Michael Rama instructed Arce to clear the road going to Upper and Lower Sun-ok by reducing the sizes of the fish vendors’ stalls, but still the ambulant vendors are using tables to sell their wares along the road.

Once the ongoing construction of a market building at a province-owned lot in an area going to Barangay Busay will be completed, the vendors that are presently occupying the space beside Aderan Hotel, including the ambulant vendors, will be transferred to the new market.

“Trabaho ra g’yud ning amo, wala’ng personalan, (We’re just doing our job, nothing personal),” said Arce, who was awarded by Rama during the recent Charter Day celebration because of her active role in putting order to the markets and streets. —/MIT (FREEMAN)