Cebu: Beauty is not just about structures

All local government units in the entire archipelago are harping on beauty to promote their cities’ or municipalities’ tourism potentials. Cebu City is one of them. In fact, has an overdose of plans for it. 

However, while the honest intent to beautify the city is laudable, this does not necessarily mean that it would result to a safer and more orderly street. For instance, to put sidewalk vendors in one side of the street may make it pleasing to the eyes and ease pedestrians’ traffic, it does not necessarily mean it would improve sidewalk vendors’ wares or stuff.   

So that, instead of just toying the idea of making one of our streets look like that one in Paris, why not do something that is more appropriate for us?  For instance, to make it more mutually beneficial, an ordinance should be passed establishing, among others, location restrictions, design requirements and operational guidelines.

Location restriction should include prohibitions in setting up carts within intersections, access ramps for handicapped and on jeepney stops.  To ensure viability, the distance between carts must also be established.  Design requirements should include the allowable length and height, use of carts, and the use of umbrella or canopy.  Operating guidelines shall include prominent display of business licenses (in securing for a permit, health certificate is a must), maintenance of cleanliness and orderliness in the area, obedience of lawful order of a police officer when they are requested to transfer to another location, pushing out the cart from the streets after business hours, and items allowed to be sold.

Moreover, to make our city truly pleasing, our beautification drive shouldn’t be limited on structure improvements and arrangements alone. As we are all aware, our streets are filled with thugs and hoodlums.  Take the case of our regular port users.  As they disembark from the ship, the feeling of security inside the port is overwhelming.  Security guards are so visible and are apparently implementing the rules.  As they stepped out of the port, however, the sight is in total contrast.  The place is cluttered with men dangling car keys to unsuspecting inbound commuters pretending they are taxi drivers.  Once approached, they bring these unsuspecting commuters to some parked taxis and forcibly demand a sum from them or from the taxi drivers or both.  Rushing to get home or be on their appointments on time, they pay.

The same scenarios abound in our bus terminals as well. Our brothers and sisters “probinsyanos” have been victims of these hoodlums who are bracing against each other in trying to snatch their bags in the guise of assisting them for a seat and forcibly demanding payments later for the alleged services rendered.  Fearing for their lives, they give in. 

Undeniably, these dispatchers right outside our bus terminals are unforgiving. They prey on both taxi drivers and commuters in every ride they took.  Apparently, these bullying individuals are everywhere.  They are plying their trade even in legitimate spaces where unsuspecting motorists pay legitimately.  It is a common sight that as car owners park their cars in the city designated areas along the streets, not only shall they deal with CITOM personnel for parking fees.  As they leave, “watch your car” boys suddenly appear for allegedly watching their cars.  They seem to mark cars that don’t pay and dent them when the opportunity comes.  In trying to avoid cost for repairs, car owners succumb to pressure.

Barkers and dispatchers abound in pedestrian lanes and jeepney stops too.  As if our streets are terminals, they are holding jeepneys until these are filled up and collect a sum for doing it.  They are not only annoying, they are certainly, not necessary.  These thugs are bold enough to show their faces.  Their hooliganism is done in broad daylight and in total public view.  Yet, they continue to thrive and are growing in number day by day.  

Definitely, however, measures can be adopted to eliminate these malpractices.  Something was successfully done in the past and can be similarly done again now.  To recall, several years ago, the Cebu Ports Authority undertook a very remarkable undertaking. 

The CPA successfully uprooted the informal settlers near the Cebu International Port.  The hundreds of trisikads that used to congest the area can no longer be found.  If these men and women who were doing honest livelihood in the area were successfully convinced to leave the place, why can’t we apprehend these brutes preying inbound passengers. 

Yes, we are trying to discipline our taxi and jeepney drivers with stiff penalties and yet we cannot protect them from these unruly dispatchers who are demanding a share from their day’s hard earned income.

Emotions are flaring up.  Frustrations are setting in.  Patience is running out.  It is about time that our authorities adopt a strong-fisted approach.  If they have the balls to evict some vendors honestly plying their trade on the street, why not take these bullying gangsters out of business.  Left unheeded, we can only guess who gets the protection.  The predators? Hope not. [email protected]