The Davao City Ancillary Services Unit (ASU) further strengthens its road clearing operations following reports of vendors illegally selling in the sidewalks of Bankerohan Public Market.
Paul Bermejo, Head of the ASU, said during the ISpeak Media Forum that their office received reports of vendors reoccupying the sidewalk.
“Akoang gisuta kung ngano’ng nanggawas man sila kay in the first place, before na gi-clearing gipangitaan man na sila og pwesto (I verified these reports because why would they reoccupy the sidewalks when even before we cleared the area, we already provided them with a place where they can transfer),” he said.
Prior to the initial clearing operations conducted by the ASU, the City Economic Enterprise (CEE) already provided the vendors with a location on the second floor of the Bankerohan Public Market where they could transfer.
Bermejo said that there were also reports of a decrease in the income of the vendors after transferring to the location provided by the CEE. This led to some vendors to return to the sidewalks.
To address the concern of obstructed sidewalks caused by this reoccupation, the ASU eyes another special road clearing operations with the aid of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Task Force Davao, City Transport and Traffic Management Office, and other concerned agencies.
“Gina-sustain man nato ang road clearing operations, wala namo na sila ginaundangan. Naa mi scheduled nga special clearing operations over and above sa atoang regular road clearing operations (We maintain our road clearing operations. Other than our regular road clearing operations, we also have scheduled special clearing operations),” Bermejo said.
He added that his office conducts these operations to ensure that the sidewalks and roads are unobstructed as well as to ensure that the city remains orderly not only in the public markets.
The ASU also emphasized the dangers of illegally occupying the sidewalks with structures and occupants as it may lead to accidents, traffic, and cause delays in disaster response.
The office continues to urge vendors to refrain from occupying the sidewalks, and to abide by the city’s road safety regulations.
“Nagkadaghan na ng mga vendors gikan sa nagkalain-laing probinsya, siyudad ug munisipyo sa tibuok Mindanao. Ayaw ninyo gamita ang kalsada, sidewalk ug mga kanal sa inyohang pagpamilgya (A lot of vendors from different provinces, cities, and municipalities all over Mindanao are coming to the city. Do not use the streets, sidewalks, and canals in your trade),” Bermejo said. CIO
