City Council hears stakeholders on proposal to register vendors

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council yesterday heard all stakeholders who will be affected of the proposed ordinance requiring registration of street vendors, ambulant vendors or peddlers, and those operating without stalls in the city’s public markets.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, author of the proposed ordinance, wants a Cebu City Vendors Welfare Council (CCVWC) to be created to protect the market vendors.

 “Primary the purpose of this ordinance is to listen to the sentiments of the affected sidewalk vendors because they have equal opportunity or representation sa council para madungog ilang mga sentimento ug reklamo,” Guardo explained during the public hearing.

Felix Taguiam, vice president for finance and administration of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed that some members of their organization find the ambulant vendors unfair to the tax-paying businesses.

Taguiam explained that these vendors are unfairly competing with them because they are offering pirated and counterfeit goods and commodities which affect their share in the market, thus, reducing their profit.

“The chamber believes that the enforcement of the city ordinance and compliance of the stakeholders can be achieved if the government and businesses, the private sectors, will work together as one community,” said Taguiam.

Ernie Pardillo, city market administration head of enforcement team, said that they are in favor of the proposed ordinance, but requested that the vendors won’t compete with the establishments inside the market.

Maria Pino, president of Cebu City United Vendors Association Inc. (CCUVA), said that the ordinance is long overdue. She said they have been waiting for vendors to be recognized as part of the economic spectrum of the society.

Pino said that they are the most affected with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to clear the roads of illegal structures and obstructions.

“After hearing all their comments I am planning to call for a dialogue with these different stakeholders, maminaw ko unsay mga commendable na mga suggestions and how will we incorporate the existing ordinance para ato pa ni ma-enhance ang ordinance,” said Guardo.

Guardo said that the main purpose of wanting to register the vendors is to regulate their numbers.

“Naa man gyud limitation, ang vendors council sila man mu-recommend aha pa ang area ang ma-declare na mga sidewalk for vending, and naa sab sila database who are allowed to sell sa atong sidewalk,” said Guardo.

“Our registration is a form of regulation, our priority are Cebu City residents, second we also understand not all streets are allowed for vending. We have to identify asa ang area ang allowed and legal ang ilang paninda na dili na sila gukuron og harass-on, at least win-win solution,” said Guardo.

In the ordinance, the CCVWC is responsible for the formulation of policies and programs that will give protection and security to the registered and accredited vendors and peddlers; conduct surveys for vacant areas for vending, and monitor and ensure the safety of the vicinity of all marketplaces.  FPL (FREEMAN)