BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he has not permitted sidewalk vendors to return to their previous selling areas at the downtown area after the city’s compliance to President Rodrigo Duterte’s mandate to clear roads and demolish illegal structures.
Leonardia said the police should watch over these sidewalk vendors after the city has complied with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular 2019-121, directing local government officials to implement the clearing of roads and demolition of illegal structures.
He added that the police might have only given consideration to the vendors since it is holiday season.
“Partly because it is Christmas season the mood is different so maybe the police are just giving the vendors consideration,” the mayor said.
Leonardia, however, reminded the vendors not to abuse the considerations given to them by the police.
Meanwhile, Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda, head of the market coordinating and monitoring task force, said only 135 vendors have processed their application for a special permit to sell around the Bacolod City public plaza.
The vendors with special permits are allowed to sell until 6 January of next year, as part of the “Paskwa sa Plaza” event.
Councilor Israel Salanga, chair of the committee on tourism, the “Paskwa sa Plaza” will hold different activities for the public this Christmas season.
The activities for the “Paskwa sa Plaza” include Christmas presentations or entertainment, as well as the display and selling of local products and wares.
