Illegal vendors face uncertainty

Saturday, February 4, 2012

MAYOR Mauricio Domogan warned illegal street vendors selling their wares on congested streets and pedestrian pathways to cooperate and stop illegal vending activities.

The Anti-Peddling Task Force has launched a saturation drive to rid the city from illegal vendors targeting areas with high concentration of illegal vending such as lakandula area.

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Domogan said he has made instructions to the police to conduct a dialogue with peddlers to educate them about city rules on vending while warning unlicensed sellers that their goods will be confiscated once they sell in prohibited areas.

“I have instructed the police and our task force to hold a community meeting with concerned vendors so we could also hear their side and we can also tell them other alternatives they can avail of so they can do their business legally,” he said.

Dozens of vendors often clog sidewalks, alleyways and even overpasses selling everything from fruits and vegetables to second hand clothes.

“It is not our intent to go out and arrest them but we want to make sure that vendors understand our city ordinances”, Domogan said.

The problem on illegal street vending is currently being addressed where the city government designated Harrison Road as a “night market vending area” where vendors can sell their wares from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

“We have to clear our sidewalks in order for it to be used as a passage of people and not as vending areas,” Domogan said.

The number of street vendors has risen dramatically over the past years and continues to increase most especially during special celebrations in the city like the Panagbenga Festival and summer breaks.

“We have no choice but to implement our ordinances against peddling, don’t blame us if we confiscate your goods,” he said.

Domogan, however, said his office has been and will continue be working to find a solution that can meet everyone's needs, from vendors, to pedestrians, to store owners. (Paul Rillorta)