Cebu City eyes transfer of boulevard vendors

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday assured that the city will not turn its back on vendors who will be affected by the beautification of Fuente Osmeña and Osmeña Boulevard.

“Some will have to sacrifice but we will not forget the street traders,” said Rama.

He said vendors and stalls may have to be relocated to other areas to free the sidewalks in the city’s main thoroughfare.

Rama said he tasked consultant Paul Hubahib to create a program for the vendors.

The Cebu Beautification Movement Inc. chaired by Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung aims for “zero vendors” around the Fuente Osmeña rotunda and along Osmeña Boulevard.

Last Thursday, Rama, Yeung and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia led a unity walk to kick off the P50-million beautification project.

Rama said several business establishments along the boulevard and around the park committed that to redesign their facades for a Spanish colonial era look.

He said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Banco De Oro will be helping the city government by beautifying their own front yards.

The Cebu Province will also be helping the beautification financially, said Rama.

The amount from the province has yet to be disclosed.

“In the beautification, politics will be set aside,” he said.