Obstruction of alleys, sidewalks punishable

File photo
File photo

THE Cebu City Council has approved an ordinance that penalizes those who obstruct the sidewalks, alleys and pathways of public parks and spaces, getting a thumbs up from a business leader.

Cebu City Councilor Rey Gealon told SunStar on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 that the ordinance is meant to clear these areas so as not to impede the flow of foot traffic or the mobility of pedestrians.

Gealon, who authored the ordinance, identified some of the obstructed areas as the following: N. Bacalso Avenue, P. Del Rosario Street, Gorordo Avenue, Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Escario Street, D. Jakosalem Street, Colon Street, Manalili Street and Sanciangko Street.

The ordinance identifies obstructions as “any structure, whether permanent or temporary, immovable or movable, erected along, standing on, adjoining, or in any manner impeding safe and convenient passage through any public road or sidewalk; the conduct of business by sidewalk vendors; and any belonging or thing found therein.”

The inclusion of sidewalk vendors in the ordinance will be a big blow to the daily income of Edwina and Minerva, who sell their wares along P. Lopez Street in downtown Cebu City.

“I’ve been selling in the sidewalks for 20 years. We used to sell along Manalili Street, but then we were asked to move here. If we will be forced to leave this area again, the only thing we ask for is another place to sell our wares,” Minerva said in Cebuano.

Using her sidewalk store earnings, Minerva said she was able to send her children to college. Two of them now have bachelor’s degrees.

Meanwhile, Edwina, a vendor for the past four years, said she will ask to have a relocation site as she still has children to send to school.

Losing the income from her sidewalk store would be debilitating, she said.

“I will really plead that they keep us here. What am I to do for a living?” Edwina said in Cebuano.

A business leader, however, said the ordinance was beneficial to the permanent businesses along the streets and highways, as obstructions along the sidewalks, alleys and pathways will no longer hamper their operations and in turn, allow their customers unobstructed access to their businesses.

“Permanent businesses will benefit from unobstructed access to their premises,” said Charles Kenneth Co, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The ordinance provides specific clauses for sidewalk selling.

Under prohibited acts, the ordinance states that it shall be unlawful to “conduct any kind of job or occupation along sidewalks, alleys, pathways, parks and public places impeding traffic or mobility of pedestrians;” and “conduct any kind of job or occupation along sidewalks, alleys, pathways, parks and public places impeding traffic or mobility of pedestrians.”

Penalties for violators would be a written warning for the first offense, a fine of P3,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than 30 days for the second offense, and P5,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than one year at the discretion of the court and revocation of business permit if the violator is a business operator.

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