The Iloilo City Government will not issue special permits allowing vendors to go back to sidewalks this holiday season.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said on Monday, Dec. 16, he has no authority to grant the Iloilo Sidewalk Vendors Association’s (ISVA) request to temporarily allow sidewalk vending.
“You know waay gid ta may maobra.Waay ako authority and I cannot go beyond what is provided for in the law,” he told reporters.
The mayor pointed out that the city has an existing ordinance that prohibits vendors from selling along sidewalks.
“May ara kita ordinance that has been approved several years ago. If may authority ako [granted by the] SP (Sangguniang Panlungsod) then pwede ako kahatag pagligwa sa ordinance, pero wala,” he said.
ISVA appealed to the city government to allow sidewalk selling Dec 16-31, 2019.
But the vendors failed to get support from members of the SP, who held their last session this year on Thursday last week, Dec. 12.
Treñas also stressed the memorandum circular issued by thr Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The memoramdum orders all mayors nationwide to clear public roads.
The mayor said he already gave instructions to Jeck Conlu, head of the city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO).
“Mr. Conlu knows what he has to do. Nakahatag na ako sa iya instruction. They will have to do what they have to do,” said Treñas.
More than 250 sidewalk vendors city were affected by the clearing operating.
The displaced vendors were transferred to the Cacho family’s 2700-square meter property along JM Basa Street, City Proper.
Treñas also gave no assurance to the vendors during the Dinagyang Festival.
“I do not know. MagDinagyang bal-an ta man nga may nagabaligya man dira. You know waay gid ta may maobra. Those are difficult decisions that I have to make as your mayor,” he said.IMT
