• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod City government is set to review the complaint from the Negros Occidental provincial government regarding ambulant vendors along North Capitol Road, who have been cited for traffic, sanitation, and security concerns.
In a letter dated June 4 and addressed to Bacolod City Legal Officer (CLO) Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. raised several issues regarding the operations of vendors in the area.
Based on their observation, Nellas said the presence of the vendors constitute a public nuisance and an obstruction to the regular flow of traffic in the area, resulting in lane congestion and posing safety hazards to both motorists and vendors.
“The continued operations of vendors has adversely impaired the sidewalk for the use of the pedestrians along the North Capitol Road,” Nellas stated in the letter.
He also raised concerns about the accumulation of litter, the destruction of public restrooms within the Capitol Lagoon, and security risks posed to the nearby Provincial Treasurer’s Office, which handles public funds and sensitive transactions.
In response, Chiu said he knew about the complaint after Nellas’ letter was posted online.
He explained that since North Capitol Road is a national road located within the city’s jurisdiction, the city government has allowed the vendors to operate in the area with prescribed time.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo said that while his office has yet to officially receive the document, the matter will be assessed by the CLO.
Mayo clarified that the presence of the vendors is lawful, as they operate by virtue of a valid ordinance passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Under City Ordinance 1009, North Capitol Road up to the corner of Aguinaldo Street is designated as one of eight allowable vending spaces assigned by the city’s Local Market Committee.
At least 42 food vendors with special permits granted by the city last month have been using the area.
Mayo assured the provincial government that their concerns would be studied and officially addressed, noting that the city government is expected to issue its official response after a full review by the CLO. | TMD
