City to use color-coding for Sinulog 2018 vendors

The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) yesterday launched its identification (ID)-based and color-coding registration for Sinulog vendor applicants.

DWUP Operations Head Genevieve Alcoseba said the early registration will pave way to a more organized system to regulate the vendors and to ensure public safety.

“Sa katong dili ma-register, mangayo nalang mi og dispensa daan na dili na gyud mi mo add up because we still have to do ocular inspection after the registration to see whether the place is ideal for business. We also have to finalize the IDs,” Alcoseba said.

The inclusive dates for the registration include December 18 to 20 and will resume on December 27 to 29 at the Executive building of Cebu City hall.

Alcoseba said late applicants will no longer be entertained.

The DWUP expects more than 2,000 vendors to apply for the city’s required business permit.

She added that the city will give priority to vendors residing in Cebu City after receiving complaints involving registered and non-registered vendors who failed to comply with the city’s requirements in the previous years.

An ocular inspection will be conducted next month and the issuance of temporary permits and color-coded IDs will follow suit.

Vendors will have to pay at least P200 for the two-day event. The amount will cover the printing, lamination and lace of IDs, said Alcoseba.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña clarified that ambulant vendors selling bottled waters will not be required to secure the permit, so they can pass through the different zones in the Sinulog route.

“If you are selling bottled water (and) you’re mobile, you don’t need a permit because everybody needs bottled water during Sinulog, it’s more of a public service,” he said.

However, Osmeña clarified that water vendors have to follow all the other rules stipulated in the executive order, which is now being finalized.

Vendors with no authentic proof of registration will be given a warning for the first offense. Should they persist, PROBE team will confiscate their wares.

Moreover, Osmeña reiterated to shut down for six months establishments caught selling liquors along the Sinulog route.

“Don’t give excuses. Mohatag nako’g fair warning. I’m not interested in the fines, I’m interested in maintaining order and in order to maintain order there must be an element of fear,” Osmeña said.