THE CITY’S CART BEFORE THE HORSE

THE city fiesta and yuletide season in Dagupan has began in a curious way.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod, in a special session on November 15, passed an ordinance temporarily closing parts of Galvan and Zamora streets, as well as a resolution temporarily suspending the implementation of the revised comprehensive traffic code of Dagupan, particularly with respect to those two streets effective November 16 till January 10, 2020.

Resolution No. 7623-2019 temporarily suspended the implementation of Ordinance No. 1748-2002 or the Revised Comprehensive Traffic Code in the City of Dagupan, particularly on Galvan and Zamora Streets on November 16 to January 10, 2010.

However, the two streets were already closed as early as November 10 from A. B. Fernandez to Nueva Street in the case of Galvan Street and from A.B. Fernandez to Jovellano Street for Zamora Street.

Passed in that special session presided by Councilor Karlos Liberato Reyna IV, the presiding pro tempore, are Ordinance No. 2182-2019, and Resolution No. 7623-2019, both authored by Councilor and Liga ng mga Barangay president Marcelino Fernandez, that allowed the temporary closure of Galvan Street and Zamora Street on November 16, 2019 to January 10, 2020 in celebration of the “Pasko ed Dagupan” and to enter into contracts in relation thereto as an effective means of spurring economic activity and enlivening local tourism.

Still, under the Local Government Code, an ordinance passed by a local legislative body can be made effective 15 days after publication in a locally circulated newspaper.

But in Ordinance No. 2182-2019 passed unanimously by the body may have ruled out the need for publication as it says: “This ordinance takes effect upon approval” to correct the irregularity already existing in the city.  

Galvan Street is the location of the flea market or baratillo that sells small items or merchandise such as food, fruits, novelties, household items, native craft, glassware, kitchen wares, shoes and men’s, and ladies’ accessories, except dry goods. 

Zamora street is where the Food Strip is located. The stalls there were placed on the sidewalk which would extend almost up to the middle of the road after 4:00 p.m. daily. 

However, both ordinance and resolution passed during the special session were silent on Jovellano Street (from Galvan to Zamora Street) that absorbed some of the baratillo stalls that could no longer be accommodated anymore on Galvan Street.

This stretch of Jovellanos Street had long been the haven of ambulant vendors for months from morning to almost midnight daily but was spared from clearing operations ordered by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.  

During a committee hearing on November 14, it was learned that the flea market stalls were contracted by Barangay II and III Kagawad Gregorio Yambao and the Food Strip by Mynard Agustin.

In that committee hearing, Councilor Librada Reyna-Macalanda was introduced by Councilor Karlos Reyna IV as the hermana mayor of this year’s Dagupan City Fiesta.

Reyna–Macalanda clarified, however:” For the record, as hermana mayor, I am only in charge of the fiesta activities. But for the baratillo and food strip, hands off na po ako doon.”

Despite the suggestion of Councilor Librada Reyna-Macalanda to Market City Administrator Aguedo Sta. Maria to remove the stalls on the sidewalk of Jovellanos Street at the back of the city plaza, Sta. Maria has not lifted a finger to remove the stalls.

Stalls in the flea market measure 2.5 meters by 3 meters each.

Zamora Street, the location of the Food Strip, closes to vehicular traffic only from 4:00 p.m. onward. 

There are also baratillo stalls in front of the city hall and fruit stalls on half of the parking area of the privately-owned CSI Market Square. (Leonardo Micua)     

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