By Paulo Loreto Lim

After earlier ordering the removal of illegal structures, which included kiosks selling ‘ukay-ukay,’ or second-hand clothing retailers, from Iloilo City’s Jaro Plaza, acting Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III issued a similar order for the city’s Mandurriao Plaza.
According to the executive order, the clean-up specifically targets the area along Q. Abeto Street, in front of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) regional office.
Following an inspection of the area, the mayor observed kiosks were “causing hindrance to pedestrians as well as motor vehicles,” which he said eventually results in traffic congestion.
Espinosa also noted, the kiosks were not operating in accordance to a letter of permission by Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Mandurriao District President Sergio Causing.
The order also cited violations to RA 4653, which prohibits the commercial importation of textile articles. The law was also mentioned in the Jaro Plaza order.
Meanwhile, Espinosa also ordered the installation of more lighting units in Jaro Plaza, saying, “Good lighting prevents accidents.”
He added, “We are planning to have this kind of project in all plazas so the public will feel safe, even at night.”/WDJ