Mandaue in need of more workers for demolition team

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government will hire more workers for the city’s demolition team in connection with the full implementation of “My Mandaue Program.”

Editha Cortes, an official of the Taga Mandaue Inc, a non-governmental organization and one of the implementors of the program, during a press conference yesterday, said the city government now focuses on Step 2 of the program.

She said Step One has been tackled, which involves the eradication of ambulant vendors in the old public market and near the vicinity of city hall and finding a place for them at the market’s rooftop where they can temporary engage in business for free at night while other ambulant vendors have been given a place where they can sell delicacies.

Cortes said the purpose of adding more members to the city’s demolition team is to make sure the city had enough people to prevent ambulant vendors from going back to the sidewalks.

“Sa pagkakaron man gud mura tag nag cat and mouse gumikan sa kakuwang sa demolition team nga mobantay nila. Kinahanglan dyud ug 24 hours nga mobantay nila aron molahotay ta sa atong proyekto,” Cortes said.

Starting next week, policemen will be detailed at all sidewalks near city hall, the National Shrine of St. Joseph, and the old public market. At the same time, streamers and tarpaulins will be put up to announce the start of “My Mandaue Program.”

Cortes also announced the city is glad that Monsignor Cris Abella of the National Shrine of St. Joseph has shown his cooperation for the project by allowing candle sellers to sell candles inside the premises of the church now that vendors are forbidden from selling their wares at sidewalks.

The” My Mandaue Program” is a project of the city government which aims to bring back the significance of the city’s historical and cultural sites.

Barangays Centro and Mantuyong will be the pilot areas for the program as city hall is located in barangay Centro.

City administrator James Abadia said one way for the program to succeed is to clear the area of ambulant vendors and informal settlers.

He said Mayor Jonas Cortes has given the NGO one year to rehabilitate the city’s center. (FREEMAN)