CONFRONTATION between members of the city’s Anti-Hawking Task Force and ambulant vendors could either worsen or lessen with the effectivity of a city ordinance increasing the fine for ambulant vending to P1,000 per offense from the previous P200.

Butch Gutierrez, head of the task force, is optimistic that with the harsher fine that took effect last Tuesday, there will be fewer vendors peddling in side streets and along sidewalks and the constant tug-of-war between members of the task force and the ambulant vendors would soon be minimized.

On the other hand, persistent vendors, who rely solely on their street trade as a means of living, may also be expected to resist harder.

“It’s like a tug-of-war between the vendors and our men, and when they get hurt holding on to their confiscated wares, they accuse us of deliberately hurting them,” said Gutierrez.

Near clashes already ensued as members of the task force have been enforcing another ordinance (No. 1873-2006) that prohibits the use of the sidewalks for vending, parking and using them as loading and unloading zones rather than as passageways.

Oftentimes, Gutierrez said his men are harassed and threatened with bodily harm by vendors which explain why they are escorted by policemen and members of the Public Order and Safety Office during their operations.

Some Muslim vendors trooped to Gutierrez’s office recently and one reportedly threatened him with a gun.

Gutierrez denied the gun scene, but he admitted that a heated argument ensued between him and one of the Muslim traders. The altercation was eventually ironed out, he said.

He also denied reports insinuating that there was selective confiscation of goods by his men, saying that any violator of the anti-hawking ordinance would have his wares confiscated.

At the same time, Gutierrez announced that about 80% of the existing sidewalks in the city have now been cleared by his office. –AQL

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments