TORN between two lovers.” That’s how I describe the predicament of Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella nowadays. He is caught in the middle between the order of Malacañang to clear major roads of any obstructions, especially sidewalk vendors, and his sympathy for the affected sector. I know the mayor is pro-poor. Even if we open his heart, it cries and bleeds for the poor who are making an honest living through sidewalk vending.
But what can he do? Even if it is against his will, he has to follow the order of Malacañang to clean our roads even if this will affect the livelihood of some of his beloved constituents. If he will not follow the order of Malacañang, he risks facing an administrative sanction. He may be suspended or dismissed for not complying with the President’s order.
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered local chief executives to lead the campaign against those who occupy sidewalks so the public can freely use these. The chief executive gave local officials 60 days to carry out his marching order. The deadline expired last Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. Representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have been inspecting various local government units (LGUs). As far as Cebu City is concerned, DILG officials were initially impressed by the way City Hall conducted the clearing operations, especially along Colon St. and Osmeña Blvd.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the deadline would not be extended to comply with the President’s order to clean and clear streets and roads nationwide of illegal structures. The final inspection was conducted on Thursday, Oct. 3. We don’t know yet the result as the inspection team will still submit their findings and recommendations to Año, who will forward these to Malacañang.
Año said the DILG will review the LGUs’ accomplishments after the inspection. Heads of LGUs found to have failed to comply with the President’s order will be investigated and penalized. The penalty is either a reprimand, suspension or dismissal.
If your are in the shoes of Labella, whom will you follow? The dictate of your heart in sympathy for the affected sector or the order of Malacañang? If you ask me, of course, he has to follow the Palace’s order. But he cannot just also ignore his obligation to protect his constituents. That is why the mayor has to strike a balance between the President’s order and the predicament of the affected vendors. He cannot just dismiss and ignore their plights as this is their means of livelihood.
But can Labella’s administration sustain this campaign? I am afraid that the mayor might be politically pressured by this sector and he cannot sustain what he has started, especially when election time comes. While I am for cleanliness and order in our sidewalks, we cannot just also dump the affected sector like rags. Maybe the government can come up with a win-win solution to solve this problem.
How can the government keep sidewalks pedestrian-friendly while still allowing vendors to make a living? The negative perception of informal vending is an issue that plagues urban areas anywhere. Vendors on sidewalks is a sign of lack of respect for the dignity of pedestrians. Why can’t pedestrians enjoy clean, orderly and beautiful spaces?
In developing urban cities like Cebu, sidewalk vendors bring disorder and thus a fertile ground or environment for crime. Is beauty important? Which vendors are you going to allow? The poor? But who decides who are poor? How will city officials select those they’ll allow to take over the sidewalks?
Why doesn’t the City Government come up with alternative livelihoods for this affected sector? Or maybe it can transfer them to formal markets or put them in informal street markets or maybe encourage them to form a cooperative and rent public or private spaces where they can display their wares. Unya kining mga apektadong vendors dili lang usab unta mamili kung asa sila ibutang. Beggars cannot be choosers.