DADS support 6-month extension for newsstands, watch repair stands
BAGUIO CITY – The city legislators in a resolution have expressed agreement with the 6-month extension period given to newsstand vendors and watch repairmen for the relocation of their stalls.
Councilor Mylen Victoria Yaranon said the 6-month transition period is deemed a “win-win” resolution for the concerned individuals and the city government.
In a public consultation attended by journalists, publishers, general managers of newspaper organizations, and the vendors/repairmen themselves, the city government decided to allow these stands located in the central business district to operate in their current locations from January to July 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 accomodate 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 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 Año 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 sanggunians to revisit ordinances to ensure responsiveness to the presidential directive and to ensure consistency with related laws/policies.
Section 5 of City Ordinance No. 7-1984 prohibits the use of sidewalks for vending/selling activities, mendicancy, repair, or painting.
Councilor Yaranon, however, said that obsolete laws such as the aforementioned ordinance should be updated to keep pace with the changing times and the city’s social progress.
In August 2020, Yaranon filed a proposed ordinance regulating the use and maintenance of sidewalks and easements. The proposed measure was put through a public consultation on October 29, 2020.
Yaranon said the proposed ordinance will be amended in consideration of certain matters discussed during the public consultation. -Jordan G. Habbiling
