November 8, 2019 Vendors still hopeful to return to old spot

Almost three months after the implementation of road clearing operations, the Cebu City sidewalk vendors continue to raise their plight to the city government to help them go back to their original spots, since they cannot regularly earn money for a living.

Members of the United Small Vendors and Traders of Cebu City (USVTCC) and Colon Sidewalk Vendors Association (CSVA) went to the office of Councilor Alvin Dizon yesterday to ask for an update about the plight they have been raising to the city government for two months now.

Wilma Cabog, CSVA member, said that after being relocated at Tabo sa Banay along P. Gullas Street, they cannot properly sell their products and are barely making money from that area.

"Lisod ang among kahimtang karon. Galibog nami unsay among buhaton. Tanan nalang among giduol para lang jud matabangan mi," said Cabog.

Cabog added they already approached Mayor Edgardo Labella and informed him of their situation. She said Labella told them that they can sell again without being displaced after the stalls that Kenneth Cobonpue will realized.

"Sa among tan-aw lisod naman jud kaayo og sige pa mig huwat. Ang amo lang, mohangyo mi sa gobyerno sa syudad nga matabangan mi makabalik og paninda sa sidewalk... bisan unsa pa man kagamay kay naglisod na gyud mi," said Cabog.

She added that if they will be given the chance to return to their old spots, they promise not to be the cause of obstructions.

"Ang amo lang ipaapil mig develop... kung unsay kanindot sa atong syudad, ipaapil mi sa kanindot sa syudad. Kay nanginabuhi intawon mi. Naa mi kinabuhi," said Cabog.

She added that they may just be sidewalk vendors, but they contribute to the economy of the country.

"Nganong anaon man mi? Dili unta i-clearing hasta among tiyan," she said.

Meanwhile, Dizon has already created a resolution to address the concerns of the displaced sidewalk vendors.

There are three motions in his proposed resolution.

First, requesting Labella to formulate a rights-based, comprehensive and longterm strategy for the development of the city's vendors who undeniably are an integral part of the city's urban economy.

Second, requesting Labella that the crafting of the strategy shall take into primordial consideration hard data on the socioeconomic situation of vendors and multistakeholders participation at all levels of decisionmaking consistent with their vision of a truly inclusive city.

"Pwede ta moconsult og mga experts, urban planners, civil society groups, and most especially the vendors themselves because we also need to hear them out. Unsa man gyuy ilang gusto? Kay sila man gyud ang apektado," said Dizon.

Third, requesting Labella to extend financial and livelihood assistance to displaced vendors who are in difficult economic situation.

USVTCC and CSVA plan to ask for the help of all the councilors for the approval of Dizon's proposed resolution.