Archival wants wider scope for anti-vending

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival has proposed an ordinance amending City Ordinance No. 1586 or an ordinance prohibiting any person from occupying, appropriating, and/or arrogating unto himself for his private benefit certain government structures which are constructed primarily for public purposes.

The proposed ordinance was referred to the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling for review.

“Amendment of City Ordinance No. 1586 especially on its scope and application is imperative for a more efficient and comprehensive implementation of this ordinance,” read the proposed measure.

Section 1 states it is prohibited and illegal for any person to occupy, use, appropriate, and/or arrogate unto himself in the pursuit of his private and commercial activities certain structures of the government which are created and built primarily for public use and/or purpose.

Unless otherwise authorized by law, ordinances, executive order, or a special permit is granted by the local government unit, the prohibition shall include the selling of goods such as food, beverages, newspapers, magazines, cigarettes, jewelry, and other similar items in sidewalks, gutter, and in other similar places; constructing cages of animals in the sidewalk or placing animals on leash on gutters, sidewalks, or center aisles in public thoroughfares; using of sidewalks or gutters for trees, plants, and plant boxes; and setting up of a basketball court; among others.

The scope of the proposed measure are government structures such as streets, sidewalks, gutters, benches in public plazas, public waiting sheds, skywalks, and other structures of similar nature.

Section 3 states, “All prohibited activities or structures shall be considered as nuisance per se, hence, are subject to summary abatement, removal, dismantling, forfeiture, and disposal.”

In addition, any person, firm, or corporation found violating the provisions of the ordinance shall pay fines amounting to P1,000 for first offense; P3,000 and two-month suspension of business permit for second offense; P4,000 and six-month suspension of business permit for third offense; and P5,000 and one-year suspension of business permit for fourth and succeeding offense.

Once approved, the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) Team with Cebu Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team (CESET), in coordination with the barangay officers with respect to their jurisdictions, are authorized to receive reports regarding the establishment of any illegal activities or structures, and to summarily abate, remove, forfeit, and dispose such.

Further, the city’s Public Information Office (PIO) is directed to educate the public about the ordinance through social media posting. — KQD (FREEMAN)