This highly urbanized city has legalized the operations of food vendors along the North Capitol Road, allowing them to earn a living without fear of apprehension.

Starting Monday night, 42 vendors continued to sell in the area from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. after they were granted special permits by the City Mayor’s Office-Business Permits and Licensing Office.

Among them are Ronela Lagahit, 37, who has been selling fruit juice coolers along the adjacent Aguinaldo Street for more than 20 years, and Johnny Vasquez, 64, also a long-time food vendor in the vicinity of the Capitol Park and Lagoon.

Each vendor is required to pay PHP300 per week for a special permit.

Mayor Greg Gasataya, who distributed the special permits to the vendors after a dialogue earlier on Monday, said the goal of the city government is regulation, not relocation.

“The city is here to encourage and support your business while strictly enforcing the existing ordinance regarding ambulant vendors,” he added.

City Ordinance 1009 seeks to regulate street vending while balancing the interests of small business owners and the commuting public.

“We do not want to relocate you because we have an existing ordinance that allows you to sell. Whenever there is a specific assistance or program for vendors, it will be easier to profile and assist you since you are now legally registered with the city,” Gasataya said.

City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo pointed out that the city government needs to clear non-designated vending zones, such as Aguinaldo Street to ensure smooth traffic flow.

“Before we cleared these areas, Mayor Gasataya instructed us to meet with the vendors and come up with a win-win solution,” he added.

The special permit specifies that vendors are allowed to operate only for five hours each night, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., to avoid traffic obstruction during rush hours.

The guidelines also require vendors to maintain a strictly “grab-and-go” set-up using only carts, and prohibit the use of chairs, tables, or permanent structures.

To ensure cleanliness, the city government will conduct weekly flushing operations, as well as address parking-related issues through the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department. (PNA)