No compliance, no return for basilica vendors

CEBU, Philippines — Vendors would be barred from returning to their original stalls outside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño if they fail to submit an undertaking to the Cebu City government.

Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team head Raquel Arce has reminded the vendors to submit the undertaking and to comply with the requirements.

“Dugay na na sila gi-require og undertaking. Duha na sila ka organizations. Ang usa ka organization naka-comply na. But still wala ta’y gitagaan og favoritism or preference. Katong giwagtang sila diha because sa fiesta, silang tanan gibalhin,” said Arce.

“Wa ko kasabot ug di jud ko kasabot og nganong magpagahi ang pipila. Pipila lang ni. Maihap ra sa kamot, kung dili tulo, upat, lima ang wala pa maka-comply. I will stand firm sa akoang giingon nga those nga dili ka-submit sa undertaking, dili jud nako pabalikon sa lugar,” she said.

Yesterday was the schedule for the vendors, who were transferred to Compania Maritima, to return to their original stalls.

In the Affidavit of Undertaking to be signed by the vendors, they are required to follow the policies, such as not to repair Sto. Niño images in their stalls, and not allowed to bring minors with them while doing business.

Also, the stalls should only be used for display of images.

The vendors also need to pay the exact “arkabala” which would serve as their contribution to the city.

Their schedule to sell is also alternated to observe physical distancing.

With or without an undertaking, if vendors will obstruct the sidewalks, Arce said, their stalls will be removed in compliance with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) orders.

“In the first place, dili katungod nila ang maninda sa kalsada, prebilihiyo lang na ang gihatag sa gobyerno. Ug kay prebilihiyo lang, pwede gyud na sakmiton og balik sa gobyerno,” said Arce. — KQD (FREEMAN)