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The Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Baguio in a resolution has requested the City Mayorβs Office to extend the validity of the agreement entered into by the Permits and Licensing Division and the newsstand vendors and watch repair stand proprietors, among others.
Peter Puzon, a concerned citizen, brought the matter to the attention of the city council last Monday, informing the legislative body that the 6-month extension period is ending on June 30, 2021.
In a public consultation attended by journalists, publishers, general managers of newspaper organizations, and the vendors/repairmen in December 2020, the city government decided to allow these stands located in the central business district to operate in their current locations from January to June 2021 while plans for their relocation have yet to be finalized.
The public consultation was facilitated by Permits and Licensing Chief Allan Abayao, City Planning and Dev’t Coordinator Donna Tabangin, Executive Assistant V Philip Puzon, Councilors Mylen Victoria Yaranon and Philian Weygan-Allan, Atty. Jordan Tumayan of the City Legal Office, Arch. Homer Soriano of the City Buildings and Architecture Office, and POSD Deputy Head Daryll Longid.
As agreed, the vendors and repairmen shall be relocated either within the premises of establishments that are willing to accommodate them or in spaces that may be identified and proposed by the city government after conducting a survey.
In areas where the stands may be relocated, a .6-meter setback from the sidewalk must be observed so as to keep customers from blocking/clogging the sidewalk, thus allowing a smooth flow of pedestrians.
The city hall officials stressed that the move to relocate the said stands emanated from a directive issued by the national government under the Department of the Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2019-121 signed by DILG Secretary Eduardo AΓ±o on July 9, 2020.
The MC enjoins all local government units to implement operations that will remove constructions and illegal structures from public roads. Atty. Jordan Tumayan of the City Legal Office stressed that the national mandate includes conducting clearing operations on alleys, thoroughfares, and sidewalks.
The MC also directs the local Sangguniang to revisit ordinances to ensure responsiveness to the presidential directive and to ensure consistency with related laws/policies.
During the executive-legislative meeting last Monday, City Planning and Development Coordinator Donna Tabangin presented another alternative relocation area of newsstands.
She said these vending structures will form part of the structural design of waiting for sheds in the city. –Jordan G. Habbiling
