QC gov’t declares Novaliches proper a ‘vendor-free zone’

In a renewed crackdown on illegal vendors, the Quezon City government has declared Novaliches town proper a "vendor-free zone."

Tadeo Palma, secretary to Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and head of the Novaliches District Center (NDC), said his office will exert all efforts to make sure that the area will be cleared of vendors next year.

The crackdown on illegal vendors was an offshoot of the killing of a member of the NDC Task Force Illegal Vendors along on Nov. 5.

The victim, Mario Ninal Jr., 24, was driving an NDC service vehicle along Quirino Highway near Ramirez Street when a gunman shot him twice in the head.

"The city government is sending a strong message that it will never allow anarchy to return back to the Novaliches area," Palma said.

In line with campaign the NDC is poised to cancel some the approved vending sites where vendors are legally allowed to sell and peddle their wares.

Palma has already met with leaders of vendors in the area to discuss the orderly implementation of the new policy on illegal vendors.

Meanwhile, Palma has requested newly installed Quezon City Police District chief Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula to organize a special task force to curb street crime in Novaliches, particularly along Quirino, General Luis and Susano streets.

"The task force you will create should be on more or less permanent basis composed of police personnel who should be endowed with the highest moral responsibility to impose the law without fear or favor," Palma said in his letter to Gatdula.