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Baguio mayor bans illegal peddling

BAGUIO CITY (Feb. 17) — Mayor Braulio Yaranon recently ordered concerned offices, in coordination with the city police, to stop the “illegal vending” along Session Road and other areas in the central business district here after the night market trade along Harrison Road ended.

The night market activity stopped in order to avoid any conflict with the trading activities of the Flower Festival. Yaranon said that the city would prioritize legitimate business persons here this time.

The said offices include the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), Special Services Division (SSD), City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), Punong Barangays and Barangay Tanods.

Organisasyon Dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili ti Syudad (Ornus) Chairperson Ignacio Pangket agreed that public roads and parks should be beyond the commerce of man. However, he said that the mayor’s memorandum would not stop “illegal vendors” in their activities unless they are given alternative vending areas.

Pangket explained that Yaranon should provide clear alternatives for “illegal vendors” like a permanent vending relocation, instead of just banning them from public parks and roads. He added that if the city could not give an alternative market place for “illegal vendors” they should not stop them from earning a living.

“This (illegal vending) is better than to steal or do unnecessary actions just to feed their families. If the city will ban them, where will they go?” he asked.

Pangket also urged vendors to organize their ranks and unite to defend their right to a decent living. # Angely M. Lubo/UP Intern for NORDIS, with reports from Aileen Refuerzo/PIO

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