AN abandoned car, two multicabs and 12 ambulant vendors were removed yesterday from sidewalks in Barangays Poblacion Ward 1 and 2 in Minglanilla as part of a joint operation to help decongest roads and improve traffic flow in the town’s main thoroughfare.
But hours after the operation, some of the ambulant vendors returned to their original spot.
Local officials vowed to file charges against those who use the sidewalk to park or obstruct main roads.
The operation, which was led by the Minglanilla Traffic Command (Mitcom), started at 9 a.m.
Aside from traffic officers, officials from the local police and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also joined in the operation.
Francis Sanguenza, Mitcom head, told SunStar Cebu that their operation encountered initial opposition, especially from vendors who refused to leave their areas.
Sanguenza even disclosed that a few hours after their operation, the same vendors they removed returned to their original places.
“Mura man ug adding insult to injury na noon,” he said.
He assured that the DPWH already issued warnings to those vendors, while the others were fined.
If they fail to comply with DPWH’s notice to vacate the sidewalk, the vendors will be charged in violation of Presidential Decree 17, or the Revised Philippine Highways Act.
Department Order 73
The directive to clear the national highway of vehicles, structures and ambulant vendors came from President Rodrigo Duterte and DPWH 7 Director Ador Canlas and is in compliance with Department Order 73 series of 2014.
The department order also prohibits the construction of buildings, houses, stores and junk shops on sidewalks; putting up signs, billboards, fences, walls, basketball courts, garbage cans, posts and telecommunication towers along the highway; and any activity that will obstruct pedestrians on the sidewalks and vehicles on the highways.
In a separate interview, Engr. Valrico Tomol, head of the DPWH Second Engineering District’s Social, Environmental and Road Right-of-Way Unit, admitted they find it difficult to clear sidewalks along the national highway of obstructions as there are some people who use these as their personal space.
“Wala kay mahimo, gahi og ulo ang mga tawo. Ang mga tawo kuwang sa disiplina (There’s nothing we can do. Some people are pig-headed. The people lack discipline),” Tomol told SunStar Cebu yesterday.
Tomol emphasized the need for local government units like Minglanilla to enforce the laws against obstructing sidewalks as they have the police power to do so. (with SCG)