• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A total of 42 ambulant vendors operating along North Capitol Road have received special permits from the Bacolod City government, legally authorizing them to conduct business in the area.
The special permits, which have a validity of two months and are renewable, legalize the status of the vendors under City Ordinance No. 1009 that aims to regulate street vending while managing public roads and traffic flow.
For long-time sellers, including fruit juice vendor Ronela Lagahit, the issuance provides authorization from the city.
Lagahit, who has operated in the area for over 20 years without a permit, noted that the documentation removes the risk of facing clearing operations or cart confiscations.
The permits were distributed by Mayor Greg Gasataya during a dialogue at the City Mayor’s Office yesterday.
Under the guidelines of the special permits, vendors must maintain a ‘grab-and-go’ setup using mobile carts only.
Gasataya said the administration’s policy focuses on regulation rather than relocation and added that the official registry will streamline the profiling process for any future government assistance programs for vendors.
He added that the city government will conduct weekly flushing operations for cleanliness, coordinate with the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department to address parking issues, and install temporary solar lighting.
In addition, the city plans to implement similar regulatory measures for vendors along La Salle Avenue, Gatuslao, Gonzaga, Luzuriaga, Bonifacio, and Ballesteros streets, as well as the Bacolod City Public Plaza, based on the ordinance.*
