Kalibo eyes zero-vendors on Ati-Atihan fest

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - To eliminate vendors selling their wares without municipal permits, the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) and the local government unit of Kalibo activated its Task Force Zero Vendors for the 2011 Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival.
The task force composed of 20 volunteers and three police personnel is tasked to apprehend the ambulant vendors.

Those violating the municipal ordinance will be advised to secure special events permits with the local government unit of Kalibo.

The festival organizers want the vendors off the streets, particularly in areas where the Ati tribes and the traditional procession would pass from January 10 to 16.
Kalibo mayor William Lachica said the vendors can sell their goods along Veterans Avenue where a 24-hour flea market is established by the municipal government.

"The all-out drive on vendors peddling their items and handicrafts in the streets is implemented for the weeklong Ati-Atihan festival to clear major streets of obstructions and to lessen traffic congestion during the ‘sadsad panaad’ of devotees, guests and tourists," he said.
Meanwhile, Kasafi also directed the task force members to be more polite and courteous in dealing with illegal vendors to avoid heated confrontations.