The Cacho family has allowed vendors affected by road and sidewalk clearing operations to use their vacant lot on JM Basa Street in Iloilo City rent-free for one year.
“Nalipay gid kami kay sa sulod sang one year libre kami,” said Iloilo City Federation of Sidewalk Vendors Association (ICFSVA) president Jimmy Dorado.
According to Dorado, Marcelo Cacho, Panay Electric Company (PECO) administrative manager, visited them on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
“Nagkadto siya sa amon kag ginpabalo sa tanan nga wala kami balayran,” he said.
“Mapahamtang na amon pinsar nga diri na kami sang sa wala ya pa kami naistorya, kay pinsar namon basi indi kami magdugay diri,” Dorado added.
Aside from free rent, Dorado said Cacho also vowed to improve the property to make it comfortable for them and their customers.
Jeck Conlu, Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head, said Cacho and the displaced vendors agreed to discuss the fees before the end of their one-year free rent agreement.
Dorado noted that there are more than 250 stalls inside the 2,700-square meter property.
“Ga amat-amat na kami adjust sa amo ni nga sitwasyon namon. We hope nga mahuman tani ang plano kag maplastar kami sang maayo,” he said.IMT