Mayor orders vendors out from sidewalks, roads

By Anne Marie Liddicoat

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan ordered police to clear streets here of sidewalk vendors in time for special events like the yearly Panagbenga Festival.

The mayor warned he would be filing administrative charges against those responsible in allowing selling on city and national roads.

Aside from the flower festival, events will start February to include graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy, Lenten Season and schools’ graduation exercises.

He added tourists will not be impressed with this summer resort if illegal vendors abound all over the place.

This, after complaints reached the mayor’s office of motorists and pedestrians of vendors selling on major roads like the central business district making traffic flow worse.

During the Alay sa Kalinisan regular meeting last week, participants said last year's celebration of the yuletide season was not good for tourists because roads were jampacked with vendors selling all sorts of things.

There were reportedly no permits given to these vendors to sell on streets.

Although some barangays allowed vendors to sell in their areas, Domogan said roads in the CBD should not be used for vending.

Though the lack of police manpower greatly affected monitoring of peddling in the CBD, marshals have been deputized by the market task force to help in the drive most especially in the city’s public market.

Everyone should cooperate and comply with new regulations that are being done in order for peace and order, Domogan said.