TRUCE REACHED: CALDERON ST. FISH VENDORS CAN STAY IF THEY KEEP STALLS CLEAN, LEAVE MOTORISTS SPACE ON THE STREET
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña says that the City Government will allow them to continue selling fish on Calderon St. Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta “relents” after issuing an order to demolish 130 vendors’ stalls last week
For as long as they keep their vending areas clean and leave room on the streets for motorists, some 130 ambulant vendors will be allowed to keep selling seafood on Calderon St., Cebu City. The vendors and representatives of the barangay and City Government reached the agreement in a meeting Friday organized by Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak. Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta also asked the vendors to let in some ambulant traders who may want to sell fish in that area. Days before the meeting, a representative of the Calderon Barracks Association had accused Rupinta of ordering the demolition of their stalls, although there had been no written notice and they’ve been selling in the area for nearly 4 decades now.
Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta assured around 130 ambulant fish vendors on Calderon St. in Cebu City that they can continue doing their business without fear of being cleared out of the area.
But they must keep their vending areas clean and orderly and ensure that the street is still passable for motorists, he said.
Before reaching an agreement, some 50 members of the Calderon Barracks Assocation (CBA) staged a silent protest at the Plaza Sugbo grounds last Monday after Rupinta ordered the demolition of their stalls last week.
Anna Marie Ariosa, CBA representative, had said that Rupinta issued the demolition without any written notice.
She lamented that many of them have been selling in the area since the 1970s, and have not received any complaints.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña met with the vendors and told them that the City Government will allow them to continue doing their business in the area.
During the meeting held at the Ermita barangay gym yesterday, both parties agreed that the barangay will let them be as long as they keep their area clean and they leave space for vehicles to pass.
The barangay and vendors were urged to work together, instead of turning against each other.
“We saw that as long as we organize everything well and hear each other’s side, we can all solve the problem in a civil manner. We’re thankful that our vendors listened and now we have settled the rift between them and the barangay,” said Councilor Dave Tumulak.
Rupinta, for his part, asked the vendors to allow other ambulant traders to sell on Calderon St. “Of course, our residents from Ermita or other barangays should also be given the same opportunity. Since the City Government has decided to give all ambulant vendors maximum tolerance, then the streets should not be made exclusive to one association only,” he said.