BACOLOD City Councilor Sonya Verdeflor has requested City Administrator John Orola Jr. to transfer the fish vendors occupying Ballesteros Street to the Vendors Plaza at Reclamation Area.
She said the Vendors Plaza, given the needed repair and maintenance, will serve as an ideal location for the fish vendors who used to sell on the sidewalks.
The Vendors Plaza was established through City Ordinance 286, Series of 2001 as the venue for fish vendors who are temporarily vending at Ballesteros Street.
Verdeflor noted that this was constructed to address the recurring problem of increasing number of vendors in the streets during the term of former Mayor Luzviminda Valdez.
Section 5 of the Market Code of Bacolod City provides that the city administrator shall exercise direct and immediate supervision, administration and control over government owned and operated public markets, and the personnel thereof, including those whose duties concern the maintenance, upkeep, peace and order of the market premises. This provision was expanded to include the operation and management of the Vendors Plaza.
The current presence of fish vendors on Ballesteros Street met complaints from affected establishments within the area.
Streets should be for motorists and not for vending, Verdeflor added. (CNC)