“FOLLOW vending regulations!”

The order came from Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez yesterday, December 5, as he reminded ambulant vendors that City Ordinance (CO) 1009 Series of 2022 or the Ordinance Regulating Vending in the city has already been approved.

“We now have guidelines so we should follow it (while) the City Council has already identified the designated areas for our ambulant vendors to display their products,” he said.

He added that the ambulant vendors should register so that they will be given certification or identification cards by the Local Market Committee (LMC).

The mayor noted that the erring ambulant vendors will be penalized.

Under the ordinance, vending shall be allowed in designated areas specified in the ordinance, but it shall not include registered vendors inside city public markets who have established business locations, have permits and are paying appropriate business taxes to the city government.

The identified designated areas include North Capitol Road up to corner of Aguinaldo Street; Gallardo Street to University of St. La Salle; Gatuslao Street; Gonzaga Street; Luzuriaga Street; inside Bacolod City public plaza; Bonifacio Street; and south area of Ballesteros Street.

The LCM is responsible for providing a simplified procedure for registering approved vendors; approving and reviewing the applications; issuing identification cards and certifications; and rescinding documents in case of violations, the EO further stated.

Flor earlier said she authored the ordinance because of an urgent need to protect vendors from being deprived of their livelihood, as well as the rights of consumers and citizens from negative effects of the current economic and health crises. (MAP)