By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY - The city government of Bacolod is set to remove 905 vendors who are occupying public roads.
Bacolod City Vice Mayor EL Cid Familiaran leads a dialogue with market vendors at the Bacolod City Government Center main lobby on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. (Photo from Bacolod City PIO / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Around 197 vendors in Burgos Public Market, 95 in Central Public Market, 245 in Libertad Public Market, and 368 other sidewalk vendors, will be affected by the clearing operation.
According to Mayor Evelio Leonardia, such move is in compliance with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to clear public streets of obstructions to facilitate the orderly use of the roads.
READ MORE: LGUs get ultimatum to clear roads
“This is a national mandate of our President and we are doing our best that Bacolod will be participative here," Leonardia said, as he asked the cooperation and understanding of the public.
Before the clearing operation in the three public markets, the city will have a meeting first with the vendors.
The clearing operation which will be led by the City Legal Enforcement Unit, City Engineer’s Office, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be conducted August 7 and 8 at Burgos Public Market, August 9 and 10 at Central Public Market, and August 12 to 14 at Libertad Public Market.
The affected vendors will be transferred inside the markets and will occupy the fish and vegetable sections.
On August 14, a meeting is also scheduled with the sidewalk vendors, but there is no final schedule yet for the said clearing.
Illegal structures in Barangays 16, Singcang-Airport, Banago, and Villamonte have been demolished.