DAVAO City's Ancillary Services Unit (ASU) will confer with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte regarding the issue of vendors selling on both sides of the streets.
ASU officer-in-charge Paul Revildo E. Bermejo, in a media interview Monday morning, September 25, at the City Hall Drive, said that he intends to address the matter of sidewalk vendors as December approaches.
Bermejo explained that the vendors were accustomed to selling on both sides during the tenure of former City Mayor Sara Duterte, who had allowed it. He said, “So karun akoa sa nang meetingon karun ang atoang mga vendors para ma-discuss namo kung unsa ang size ug pila sila kabuok sa kana nga area (So, for now, we will gather all of the vendors and conduct a meeting with them to discuss the size of their stalls and how many can be accommodated in the area),” Bermejo said,
The ASU chief underscored the importance of ensuring that the placement of vendors doesn't lead to conflicts. He pointed out that some areas are occupied by multiple stalls owned by a single family, and they don't permit other vendors to enter due to competition.
“Ang isa ka vendor, iyang anak, iyang parente lang naa dira sila sila lang unya dili sila magpasulod unya ug naay musulod lain atong (i-request) kay maghangyu nga pasudlon pod sila unya kay dili man pod sila musugot so kung ing-ana ang style basin posible nga dili nalang na siya itugot (One vendor, their children, and their relatives are situated in the area and won't allow another vendor to set up shop, even if the vendor requests it. So, if this is the case, it may not be allowed anymore),” Bermejo said.
The areas where vendors currently sell on both sides include San Pedro St., Ilustre St., and Ramon Magsaysay Avenue.
ASU personnel monitor areas where vendors are restricted, such as pedestrian overpasses where dry goods vending is prohibited. Bermejo said they will deploy additional personnel to survey these areas since permanent guards cannot be stationed there.
Meanwhile, the agency has set considerations for Indigenous People (IP) who sell shoes at City Hall Drive, San Pedro St., and Bolton St.
Bermejo discouraged ASU personnel from confiscating items immediately when violations occur because once the ASU seizes the items, IP vendors may not be able to reclaim them. The shoes sold by IP vendors are part of a livelihood program supported by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) for the indigenous community.
To prevent IP vendors from displaying their products in restricted areas, Bermejo said they would closely monitor pedestrian overpasses, particularly in Matina Crossing in the city.
“Amo nalang gyud ginatyagaan, ginabisitahan namo ang mga pedestrian overpass unya gina badlong namo sila (We make regular visits to all the pedestrian overpasses and employ maximum tolerance when addressing these issues),” Bermejo added. RGP
