Several food vendors located at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City are asking the Bacolod City Government to give them time to transfer to another area where they can continue their business.

June Katalbas, 39, said City Legal Office Enforcement Team head Rey Demisana had informed them of the order of the mayor to clear the area of vendors. They were told that they will be apprehended if caught vending in the area.

She said they went to the government center Tuesday to know if Mayor Monico Puentevella really ordered them to vacate the capitol grounds.

Katalbas said they only sell around the Capitol Lagoon between 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. They have been doing business in the area for more than 18 years already and this is the first time this happened.

She said she could not sleep thinking that they will lose their source of livelihood. She does not know what to provide their children who are still studying, so they are asking the city for a little consideration, she said.

CAMPAIGN PROMISE

They do not believe Puentevella will do this because, during the campaign period, he promised that they will not be driven away, Katalbas said.

She said there are about 20 vendors doing business around the Capitol Lagoon.

Demisana said the clearing operation along the North Capitol Road and South Capitol Road up to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital is part of their normal daily operations. They have been instructed by the CLO to keep these areas clear of vendors.

ANIMALS ENDANGERED

However, he said that after they made an appeal, the mayor allowed them to sell between 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. as long as they do not stay in the area because of reports that some of them cook food along the South Capitol Road which may endanger the animals at the Negros Forest Ecological Foundation. There are some who even sleep there, he said

Demisana said the Capitol Park should be freed of vendors because it is one of the places where people go to relax, aside from the plaza.*CGS

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