By Nycel Jane Dela & Edalyn Acta
Small vendors of Roxas City may soon find support through a proposed ordinance that aims to legalize and strengthen their livelihoods.
City Councilor Fernando Luis “Bordoy” Viterbo clarified that talipapa vendors will not be closed down, contrary to earlier reports that they might be affected by stricter requirements for sanitary permits.
Viterbo is instead proposing the “Roxas City Nano Enterprise Incentive Ordinance,” which aims to give small entrepreneurs easier access to permits and incentives.
“Kon wala malang sa sidewalk ang imo baligya, wala gid sang problema,” Viterbo emphasized.
Viterbo noted that sidewalks are strictly for pedestrians’ safety, especially students and ordinary passersby. He appealed to vendors to respect this rule while assuring them that their operations inside communities will be supported.
Under the proposed ordinance, small businesses earning up to P250,000 annually, such as food cart operators, talipapa vendors, and home-based sellers, will be granted free business permits and exemptions from business tax.
This model, Viterbo explained, was inspired by existing programs in Quezon City and Pasig City, where even street vendors have legal permits.
With permits, vendors may also benefit from the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Act, which exempts them from income tax and allows them to access government loans and services through agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“Importante nga may permit sila, para makakuha man sila sang government services kag makahulam sa DTI para sa kapital,” Viterbo explained.
Set to be filed next week, Viterbo believes that once small businesses are registered and legal, they will contribute greatly to Roxas City’s local economy.
