THE Iloilo City Government will give assistance to sidewalk vendors who will be affected by the ongoing road clearing, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Treñas made the assurance during a meeting with more than 600 sidewalk vendors mostly from Iloilo Terminal Market (popularly known as "Super"), Iloilo Central Market, and downtown area.
"We are doing an inventory of all affected, numbering to more than 1,500, but the list will still be cleansed," he said.
Treñas said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has funds for it, adding that P5,000 will be given to each of the affected vendors.
The City, through Public Employment Service Office (Peso), has partnered with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) for trainings in food processing, dressmaking, massage therapy, welding, masonry, and carpentry, among others, for interested vendors.
"All I ask of you is your cooperation. This happens all over the country as a result of President [Rodrigo] Duterte's directive, and we cannot do otherwise but to follow," Treñas said.
Memorandum Circular 2019-121, issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), gives 60 days to local chief executives to comply with the President's directive to clear roads of illegal structures and constructions, including sidewalks and along road right-of-way, vehicles and pedestrians.
Non-compliance would result in the filing of appropriate administrative cases pursuant to Section 60 (c) of the Local Government Code of 1991 and other existing laws and policies.
"The city's team so far has cleared 60-70 percent of roads here, and I am confident of beating the deadline set by DILG," Treñas said. (PR)