Osmeña Orders Clearing of Vendors Near Hospital After Sinulog

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has ordered the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) to drive away the street vendors on B. Rodriguez St. in front of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) after next year’s Sinulog celebration.

Osmeña said he previously told the vendors that they can continue selling their goods in the area as long as the nearby establishments don’t complain about their presence.

But he said the VSMMC management recently asked the Cebu City Government’s assistance since the street traders have inconvenienced pedestrians and hospital visitors.

“I cannot reconsider the decision because when I took my oath of office, I need to implement the laws of the land without mental reservation and purpose of evasion. I can’t give them (vendors) title to the streets. If an establishment complains, (it’s) automatic you have to leave. I have no choice,” Osmeña said.

He said the vendors will have to voluntarily vacate the street after the Sinulog celebration.

Those who will fail to do so will have their stalls demolished by Probe.

Probe chief Abel Diloy said the vendors on B. Rodriguez St. are blocking the entrance of the VSMMC, causing traffic congestion in the area.

Diloy also recommended to the City Government to provide a designated trading area for all street vendors in the city to avoid public inconvenience to the hospital. (PNA)
LAP/EB/EDS