In an effort to curb the increasing number of ambulant or roving vendors in the city, Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan authored a resolution halting the issuance of special permits to new applicant ambulant/roving vendors.
Weygan-Allan has observed an escalation in the number of ambulant or roving vendors in the city. Through a public consultation conducted by the Committee on Market Trade, Commerce, and Agriculture of the City Council chaired by Weygan-Allan, it was found out that 320 vendors out of 456 attendees have special permits while 136 still peddle in the city without special permits.
In her proposed resolution, Weygan-Allan noted the report submitted by the Permits Licensing Division of the City Mayor’s Office. According to the report, 554 ambulant/roving vendors have special permits as of June 30, 2019. However, the report does not contain an official list showing the number of ambulant/roving vendors without special permits but are peddling in different barangays.
The proposed resolution, once approved, will put a stop to the issuance of new special permits to applicants. However, it will support the renewal of special permits of those legitimate/roving vendors who comply with the requirements.
The proposed resolution also intends to simplify the process in favor of legitimate roving/ambulant vendors by discontinuing the issuance of endorsement letters by the Committee on Market Trade, Commerce, and Agriculture. As per practice, the Committee issues an endorsement letter prior to the renewal of a special permit. According to Weygan-Allan, there were reported instances where an endorsement letter from the Committee was presented to the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) office/officer instead of a special permit when a roving vendor was being apprehended. By virtue of this resolution, a roving vendor can renew their special permit without the Committee’s endorsement.
The matter was referred to the Committee on Market Trade, Commerce, and Agriculture for further review.
Section 143 of Tax Ordinance No. 2000-01 states, “It shall also be prohibited for any person to sell in any place outside of the market premises merchandise intended for sale in the market.” However, due to the plight of vendors, Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA) passed a resolution permitting vendors to peddle outside the City Market and the Central Business District on the condition that the vendor must comply with certain rules, regulations, and requirements.
“Upon approval, the vendor must secure the special permit indicating the item to be sold and the barangay he/she is allowed to rove with an attached vending ID for easy identification. Production cost of the ID shall be borne by the vendor. Special permits shall be renewed every three (3) months at the discretion of the City Government of Baguio,” Section 2 (e) of BCMA Resolution 20-2016 states. ** Jordan G. Habbiling
