Caloocan mayor to allow street vendors on certain terms

MANILA, Philippines — It’s business as usual for street vendors in Caloocan City as long as they respect the rights of pedestrians.

This was the pronouncement of Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan over the weekend as he led a citywide cleanup of sidewalks which he said would be a continuing activity.

After leading the cleanup operations and conducting a dialogue with street vendors on Samson Road and Rizal Avenue, Malapitan said he would not ban street vendors if they did not disturb the flow of people and vehicles.

“I want street vendors to be our partners in rebuilding the city. But if they continue to cause public inconvenience, then we will be forced to remove them from the sidewalks,” he stressed.

At the same time, he ordered the city’s Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management to regulate the street vendors who set up shop on sidewalks which, at times, impede the flow of pedestrians and even disturb traffic.

“Sidewalks are for the pedestrians. We have to keep these clean and safe so the public will be able to use them,” he said.

Aside from keeping tabs on vendors, the department was also ordered to remove all campaign posters and advertisements hanging from walkways and cables.

“We have to set an example not only for residents but also the public in general that we are serious in keeping Caloocan City clean and orderly,” Malapitan said.