Mayor: More public order personnel needed

THE current members of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) are not enough to monitor all areas in the Central Business District, which are slowly being filled up with street vendors.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan called for renewed vigilance among legitimate business establishments to join the city’s drive against ambulant vendors.

Domogan said only 29 POSD personnel are currently monitoring city streets from illegal vendors.

The city mayor recently sought funding for the hiring of additional manpower to heighten the City Government’s drive against illegal street vendors.

The mayor also ordered the Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA) to remove vendors located near Maharlika Center and dismantle their stalls constructed during the Christmas season.

He also urged established not to sublease frontages of their stores to others as he claims it only adds to the problem of congested sidewalks in the city.

He said owners of the dismantled stall may apply for vacant spaces at the city’s night market at Harrison Road.

The mayor emphasized the night market has been a successful venture for the city despite initial problems. He stressed it only operates through an administrative order.

He called on members of the City Council to pass an ordinance to make the night market permanent and set rules for its operations.

He also added the night market activities continue to provide livelihood to city residents and has already drawn crowds of tourists who want to get goods that are much cheaper than in malls.