City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II speaks to city vendors in a forum to emphasize the need to follow health and safety protocols as the Coronavirus disease (Covid) pandemic is far from over.

The forum is an offshoot of clamor from some city residents saying some vendors are reportedly unable to observe health and safety protocols when they interact with the public.

Mayor Yap conducted the open forum with Acting City Administrator Cathelyn Torremocha, Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) Head Thea Ivory Parras, City Health Representative Ralph Bernaldez, and City Market Administrator Jun Besa, to clarify issues concerning the reports about some vendors not observing the protocol.

Torremocha explained the purpose of the event to the participants by saying, “We want to protect your health and that of your customers. The relocation is one way to enable you to observe the health protocols and at the same time provide you with your much-needed livelihood”, Torremocha said. 

Moreover, Bernaldez from the City Health Office emphasized that vendors should secure a health card, an x-ray result, and a stool exam result.

For her part, Parras from the BPLO reiterated the following  health protocols: 

  • a face mask and a face shield should be worn by each vendor at all times; 
  • the vending cart should be enclosed fully with a plastic cover; 
  • sauces should be placed in a closed container and sauce dipping is not allowed; 
  • the vendor should use a plastic cup as food containers; 
  • eating beside the food cart is discouraged; 
  • social distancing should be observed at all times; 
  • consumers should also wear face masks when buying from the vendors.

Additional instructions say that all vendors must secure a health card from the City Health Office and must be prominently displayed in their business area.

It was also emphasized that the city’s prescribed number of vendors per assigned area must be followed and social distancing protocol should be observed which means at least three (3) meters apart from one vendor/food cart to another. 

The Road clearance should be strictly followed, too, the report stated with the vendors taking responsibility of their  garbage segregation and disposal. 

The Tagbilaran City Vendor’s ID must also be worn at all times.

Vendors who violate any of the existing law or ordinance will no longer be allowed to sell any product within the City’s jurisdiction.

Mayor Yap, himself, hosted the question-and-answer session as First Lady Jane Yap’s Gugma Tagbilaran distributed face masks, face shields, and relief packs to the displaced vendors. 

Mayor Yap reminded the vendors to cooperate with the City Government. He said, “Let us all work together to make Tagbilaran safe from the spread of COVID-19. Your cooperation will be truly helpful to the safety of the entire community. We should all be vigilant of the health protocols of physical distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands. Your new location can provide you with customers and they will be able to observe the new normal guidelines”, Yap said.