Anti-Illegal Vending, Talisay adds more muscle to task force

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government has doubled the number of members of its anti-illegal vending task force after one of its original members was struck by a vendor.

Aside from this, city administrator Richel Bacaltos said the members would be working on three shifts. 

“Our task force is now on duty for 24 hours to ensure that illegal vendors will not just sprout anywhere outside the allowed vending areas,” Bacaltos said.

The city administrator said he believes these illegal vendors will look for any available place where they can sell their wares, despite warnings from the city government that they will be arrested if caught.

“Mangita gyud na sila og lutsanan, kung asa sila pwede makapamaligya. But our task force will trace them,” Bacaltos said.

He said illegal vending in Molave, barangay Tabunok is already “under control” and city hall personnel have been posted there to ensure that the illegal vendors lurking in the area will not come back.

Bacaltos said apart from the task force, the city police and barangay tanods “continuously” scour the area for vendors.

Last week, Antonio Lim, a member of the Anti-Illegal Vending Task Force, was allegedly struck by one “Ricky,” a vendor, while his team was driving away vendors from Molave.    

Bacaltos said the case is already being investigated by the city legal office.

He said additional men were sent to barangay Tabunok where illegal and ambulant vendors are expected to mushroom after the Tabunok Public Market was closed down.

He said all their efforts to close down all stalls which are selling the same goods found in Lagtang Public Market and clearing up Tabunok from illegal vendors are aimed at helping the vendors in Lagtang.

Bacaltos also reminded the buying public to stop patronizing the goods of illegal vendors. At the same time he asked these vendors to do business at the Lagtang Public Market.

“Atong awhagon ang mga residente nga adto na mamalit sa Lagtang Public Market. And i-remind pud nato sila nga iligal na ang mga nanindahay sa Molave,” he said.

“Alang usab sa mga vendors, pwede man sila nga moadto sa Lagtang maninda, dawaton man na nato sila. Only, mamintaha lang gyud,” he said. - THE FREEMAN