Ambulant vendors in the commercial district of Dumaguete City were rounded up this week by three teams of the Task Force Special Action Group Advocating Rapid Reform (SAGARR).
Task Force ground commander and City Administrator William Ablong said this was done to solve the perennial problem of ambulant vending and clogged sidewalks in the City.
In a briefing before the activity by Task Force SAGARR, Ablong stressed to its members that they must observe due process, respect the rights of vendors, do their tasks with compassion, ensure that no physical harm is done, and that there will be no confiscation and destruction of the vendors’ wares and belongings.
The ambulant vendors had been informed at an earlier City Council session of their previous violations, and had been warned that the next time they were apprehended, charges would be filed against them.
After their appearance at the City Council, some vendors expressed interest to cooperate with government and eagerness to legalize their operation by applying for Mayor’s Permits to conduct business.
One of the team leaders of Task Force SAGARR, Joey Abella of the City Legal Office, explained that the ambulant vendors had violated the Omnibus Tax Code of Dumaguete, and were caught blocking the sidewalks. He said their style of doing business was unfair to those regularly renewing their Mayor’s Permits and paying taxes to the government.