WHILE assuring the ambulant vendors that maximum tolerance will be observed, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy told them that they should follow the guidelines set for them lest they be evicted from their assigned spaces.
“If despite constant reminders from our end for you to stay within your assigned spaces and you still insist on encroaching on other people’s spaces or overstepping your boundaries, we won’t respond with violence. Instead, we’ll prepare our vehicles and carry (your products away from the site). You should help yourselves,” Mayor Uy told the ambulant vendors in Visayan yesterday.
Mayor Uy issued this reminder even as a City Hall team led by former councilor Enrico Salcedo found a few ambulant vendors, particularly those selling ala carte street food, returning to their old spots at JR Borja and Capt. Vicente Roa Streets.
The vendors were reminded by the City Economic Enterprises Department (CEED) that these streets and the whole JR Borja Extension are off-limits to them starting last Nov. 22.
When asked why they continued to sell in these areas, the vendors admitted to Salcedo that while they were profiled by CEED, they didn’t attend the raffling of spaces held for the ambulant vendors last Tuesday.
The first of a two-day briefing held by City Hall for the relocation was attended by dry goods vendors or those selling used clothing while the second day was reserved for fruits and food vendors.
Among the areas reserved for the vendors who will sell near the Cogon market site are Guillermo, Daumar, and Ramonal Streets and portions of Yacapin and Osmeña streets.
During the briefing, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office Director Col. Aaron Mandia said 100 police officers including plainclothes personnel will be augmented by Task Force Oro to ensure
The vendors will be divided into sections according to the products they sell.
“To the vendors, I ask you to help the (Roads and Traffic Administration) by complying with traffic laws and staying within your assigned spaces. The grievance committee that I will set up will monitor and penalize you should you violate our guidelines,” Mayor Uy said.
Some of the regulations previously agreed on for implementation include prohibiting vendors from selling in JR Borja, Capt. Vicente Roa and Yacapin streets to prevent traffic congestion.
Vendors will also sell from 6 pm to 5 am and be required to clean and collect their garbage using their own containers. Violators will be issued an ordinance violation receipt. (Stephen Capillas with reports from Annabelle Ricalde and Jo-Ann Sablad of the City Information Office)
