By Jade C. Zaldivar
Davao City Council Tuesday passed a resolution seeking the removal of ambulant vendors outside the public schools.
Councilor Pilar Braga, the proponent, cited several complaints she received that sidewalk vendors are causing danger to pedestrians outside the public schools.
She said the presence of ambulant vendors made it difficult for the students in going in and out of elementary schools.
Braga particularly cited the Magallanes Elementary School along A. Pichon Street and the Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Elementary School along Ponciano Street.
“Due to the sidewalk vendors, pedestrians, adults and school children alike can’t walk through the sidewalk but instead they have to walk or pass through the side street,” she said.
“The area is busy with all kinds of vehicles passing through. This condition causes hazards or danger to the lives of our pedestrians especially our school children. The vendors therefore appropriating the sidewalks should be removed,” Braga said.
The city councilor requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Traffic Management Center to “enhance the condition of pedestrian lanes outside public and private schools.”
“Repaint and enhance pedestrian lanes…after all this is for the safety and general welfare of the public,” she said.
The City Council also requested City Administrator Zuleika Lopez to look into the matter.
Copies of the resolution are also duly furnished to the office of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the TMC and other concerned agencies.
