QC launches info drive on sidewalk regulations

A grassroots-level information drive is underway in Quezon City to remind city residents that everyone must help and cooperate in the daily enforcement of laws and regulations for proper use of sidewalks.

In compliance with a directive of Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., the city’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) has started printing and distributing information materials that would generate public awareness of existing laws and regulations for the sanitary, clean and non-obstructive use of sidewalk, particularly in areas used for daily business actives by the informal sector.

Manuel Sabalza, DPOS chief, said it appears that there are still many residents who are not aware of such laws.

"For the past few years, we have been conducting dialogues and meetings with barangay authorities and personnel as well as with vendors and their associations leaders on the use of sidewalks, alleys, bridges, roadways and easements, but vendors continue to cause obstruction on the public right of way," he said.

Sabalza said his office decided to compile ordinances, resolutions, department orders, national and local laws for the purpose of using copies of these as public information material.

The DPOS chief said his office has started distributing information material to the city’s 142 barangays to encourage community leaders to assume an active role in the enforcement of laws against illegal and obstructive use of the sidewalk.

City authorities noted that most violations of laws on sanitation and the proper use of sidewalks are committed in areas with a large concentration of vendors belonging to the so-called underground economy or block of unregistered businesses.

These areas include a stretch of Commonwealth Avenue stretch between Manggahan and Litex.

The city government recently opened a temporary market adjacent to the Commonwealth Market to relocate vendors affected by a massive clearing drive on sidewalks.

A new "Bagsakan Market at the Central Bus Terminal adjacent to the Manila Seedling Bank along EDSA was also allowed to operate temporarily. The terminal, dubbed "Tiangge at Dampa sa North Triangle," is intended to encourage sidewalk vendors to transfer to legitimate selling areas. — Perseus Echeminada