At least 19 out of 50 stallholders will be moved out of the Tabo sa Banay area in Colon Street, Cebu City before a cleanup of the drainage system is done.
“We will start one step at a time. I think there is a need to really have them relocated,” said City Legal Officer Jerone Castillo, who heads the city government’s Colon Revitalization program.
Castillo made the assessment after inspecting the area with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the Tabo sa Banay area in Colon Street last week.
Tabo sa Banay is a community of stand-alone stallholders selling retail items in Colon Street.
It is a popular venue for consumers looking to buy items at bargain prices.
Relocation site
Castillo said the drainage system is located under the walkway between the stalls of the Tabo sa Banay site.
He said the area is being blamed for the flooding at the downtown area.
Estero de Parian is a tidal channel used as a drainage canal in populated districts of Cebu City.
The affected canal, which passes through Colon Street exits along Metro Gaisano in downtown Cebu City.
Castillo said they will discuss the relocation with the stallholders at the Tabo sa Banay and later with the City Hall’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) Team.
After the meeting, the City Legal Office will issue three sequential notices of eviction to the 19 vendors.
Castillo said the PROBE team will then clear the site. From there the DPWH will conduct the removal of obstructions in the area’s drainage system.
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