IN a bid to regulate the proliferation of illegal vendors in the country’s financial capital, the Makati City government has turned over mobile food carts to the city’s street vendors.
“Through this program, we aim to regulate ambulant vendors in the city to maintain safe and ‘walkable’ streets. At the same time, we are providing them with decent equipment to sell their goods so as to attract more customers and promote consumer safety,” Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay said of the Ate Maki’s Jolly Carts to help them earn a living without causing obstruction for vehicles and pedestrians.
Binay said the city government has so far distributed 41 carts.
Each vendor, the mayor said, will be assigned to do business at specific streets and open spaces.
Under the program, the city has a three-year lease-to-own agreement with the vendors for the free use of the city-provided pedicart units. In turn, the vendors have agreed to pay P20 per day for three consecutive years.
A memorandum of agreement between the vendor and the city also determines the items allowed for sale as well as the days, time and location where they can sell their products.
Image credits: Contributed photo