AT whatever cost, the Dagupan City government is bent on clearing all sidewalks of vendors and obstructions as part of its effort to make the city an ideal place for tourism and investments.

Mayor Benjamin Lim has sought the understanding and cooperation of the public in the ongoing clearing operations of all sidewalks at the city’s central business area, saying he has to implement national laws as well as the newly approved City Ordinance No. 1873-2006.

Appealing to the public to stop complaining and criticizing his administration’s campaign to put the city in order, Lim said the clearing operations are covered by the Revised Philippine Highway Act, the National Building Code and Article 694 of the Civil Code.

“Kung nais nating pagandahin at paunlarin ang ating lungsod, kailangang magtulungan tayo,” Lim said in his printed message being circulated to all those affected in the ongoing crackdown by the city against ambulant vendors.

Vendors cry foul

Meanwhile, several sidewalk and ambulant vendors complained that the clearing of the sidewalks by the anti-hawking task force of the city is already tantamount to grave abuse of authority because they claim they are not and have not been obstructing the passa-geway.

“Sobra na, basta- basta na lang sila manghuhuli, kahit hindi naman nakakaabala yung paninda namin sa daan. Sana maawa naman sila na ito lang ang hanapbuhay namin, hwag naman sana silang sumobra sa batas,” an ambulant vendor wailed in a talk to The PUNCH.

Lim said the city government intends to remove not only vendors who have over the years been appropriating portions of the sidewalks for their hawking activities but other structures installed by store-owners.

“May gumagamit at ginagawa itong lugar para sa pagtitinda, lagayan ng mga signages, tambakan ng mga patapon na gamit, vulcanizing shops, parking area, etc,” said Lim.

Lim said most vendors forget that what they are doing adversely affects others, especially the pedestrians.

He said the improper use of sidewalks may result in accident and traffic snarls, thus tourists and potential investors are being discouraged to come to the city.

“Ang mga bangketa ay nakalaan para sa ginhawa at kaligtasan ng mga naglalakad na mamamayan. Kung napupuno ng mga paninda at nahaharangan ang mga bangketa, ang mga taong naglalakad ay mapipilitang dumaan sa kalsada na maaring maging sanhi ng kapahamakan at disgrasya. Ito rin ay sanhi ng sagabal sa ating trapiko,” Lim explained.

The mayor pointed out the amendatory ordinance on sidewalks (Ordinance No. 1873-2006) seeking to protect the lives of the people and to discipline the sidewalk and ambulant vendors. — AQL

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