Vendors appeal to Bambi allow them to sell in park anew

By ANJANETTE VILLAMOR
Correspondent

ORGANIZED vendors at the De Lara Park on Thursday appealed to Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano to allow them to return, a month after the capitol barred them from selling in the provincial government-owned property.

Lorna Guibone, the capitol’s human resources management office chief, said the structures the vendors built at the park were demolished by a provincial security group led by Rosalindo Gallendo.

Gallendo said the order came from provincial jail warden Dominador Tagarda.

Guibone said the decision was made because the park  deteriorated due to unmanageable solid wastes blamed on the vendors.

She said the vendors’ activities also hurt the park’s flora.

Guibone said security concerns also factored in the decision to bar the vendors.

The park, she said, should remain a safe and friendly place for everyone.

The group Provincial Capitol Ground Vendors however called on Gov. Emano to give them a chance.

Members of the group, speaking to this paper on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions, said they were willing to pay “obligatory taxes.”

“Dili na kana bag-o sa amo ang mga kada adlaw nga paningil gikan sa mga tawo sa kapitolyo kay nisunod lang man sab daw sila sa balaod gikan sa P2, P5 ug P20,” one of the vendors said.

They revealed that some of them paid their daily rent to the group taking care of the park’s toilets. They said those with toilet tickets were allowed to occupy a one-meter space each at the park where they set up makeshift stalls and sold from 6 am to 6 pm until they were barred there about a month ago.