City Council seeks to regulate sidewalk vending

CEBU, Philippines — A measure seeking to regulate sidewalk vending in designated places in Cebu City is being pushed at the City Council.

Cebu City Councilor Jessica Resch has proposed an ordinance that will establish the Vendors Assistance and Services Commission under the Office of the Mayor through the Department of Welfare and Urban Poor (DWUP).

The measure, which has been referred to the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling for review, aims to regulate the business of sidewalk vending in some areas in the city.

“There is a need for a local legislation that would strike a balance between protecting our street and ambulant vendors’ right to earn a living through lawful means, without prejudice to and without undermining City of Cebu’s duty to prevent congestion, clear roads of obstructions, and promote the safety, health, peace and order of its communities and inhabitants,” read the proposed measure.

Under the draft ordinance, the members of the Vendors Assistance and Services Commission shall be appointed by the City Mayor. It shall consist of the City Council’s Committee on Markets chairperson as the head, and the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team head, City Planning head, Cebu City Transportation Office head, Cebu City Health Office head, among others, as members.

The commission shall formulate the policies and programs that will afford protection and security to registered and accredited street vendors or peddlers, as well as recommend appropriate measures to the City Mayor to enhance the participation of vendors in local socio-economic development efforts.

The measure also seeks to designate appropriate areas in the city where street vendors or peddlers may be allowed to engage in business or trade,  and conduct regular surveys on other vacant areas appropriate for vending.

Also, the proposal aims to monitor and ensure that order and discipline is maintained within the vicinity of all designated vending places.

Among the Vendors Assistance and Services Commission’s functions is to cause the conduct of a survey to identify vacant areas within the vicinity of public markets, other vacant public places, parks, streets, or sidewalks that may be designated for vending purposes.

All ambulant vendors or peddlers, under the measure, must register with the city government, through the commission, subject to the payment of reasonable fees and charges.

No unregistered ambulant vendor or peddler shall be allowed to vend in designated vending spaces.

A certificate of temporary approval for sidewalk vending shall also be issued to a registered vendor upon payment of the corresponding fees. The certificate shall indicate the full name of the vendor, residential address, assigned vending space, and the day and time of vending. — JMD (FREEMAN)