Saturday, August 18, 2007 Mayor recants plan of ousting vendors By Edmund B. Sestoso
VENDORS applauded when Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices backtracked on his plan of removing them in all public places.
The mayor who appeared in last Thursday’s regular session said he was moved to sent notices to the vendors after Vice Mayor Woodrow Maquiling in one of his privilege speeches cited a Supreme Court ruling that said a public plaza is “beyond the commerce of man.”
Maquiling on that speech focused his talk on the public plaza where people can freely walk, relax, and enjoy.
But, Perdices interpreted Maquiling’s point as all public places that include sidewalks, boulevard, and the plaza.
Perdices sent notices earlier to remove vendors, which was to take effect on September 3. He made mention of Maquiling as the one who brought the issue.
Several vendors swarmed the City Council session hall Thursday to hear and get Maquiling’s statement.
Maquiling said he was not at all advocating for the removal of the vendors as he is also one of those who worked that they will be allowed to do small business in some public places.
He explained he will work hard in order that the small vendors’ livelihood will not be affected.
Mayor Perdices announced on the same session that he will no longer implement the notice he had earlier sent.
Both Perdices and Maquiling had agreed that instead of removal, the vendors will be regulated.
