Magna Carta of Informal Ambulant Vendors proposed

Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Representative and House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima has proposed the establishment of a Magna Carta of Informal Vendors to protect their rights and recognize their contribution to the country's economy.

De Lima filed House Bill No. 10043 on July 9.

The proposed Magna Carta seeks the guaranteeing of informal ambulant vendors' rights while at the same time promoting public welfare, consumer protection, and health and safety standards.

"For many Filipinos, particularly those with limited access to formal employment, capital, and other livelihood opportunities, ambulant vending remains a primary means of supporting themselves and their families," the bill read.

“Informal ambulant vendors are among the most visible but least protected workers in the informal economy. Kaakibat ng pagtitinda sa lansangan, parke, palengke at iba pang mga pampublikong lugar para maitaguyod ang pamilya, araw-araw silang nakikipagsapalaran sa kawalan ng katiyakan sa pwesto, puhunan at kita, pati na sa kawalan ng access sa suporta ng gobyerno,” the lawmaker said.

(While selling their wares on roads, parks, markets, and other public areas to provide for their family, the vendors face daily challenges regarding their place of business, capital, income, as well as lack of access to government support.)

“They remain among the most vulnerable workers as they depend entirely on the income they earn each day. May mga pagkakataon na katiting o wala silang kinikita, lalo na kung pinapalayas sila sa pwesto na wala namang lilipatan. Mayroon ding mga namomroblema sa mahal na upa sa pwesto, at nababawasan pa ang kita dahil sa ibinabayad na lagay para payagang makapagtinda. Ang masaklap, may mga araw pang kinukumpiska ang kanilang benta,” de Lima added.

(There are instances when they earn very little or none at all, especially when they are driven away from their place without an alternative. Some are also faced with high rent, and their income is lessened due to the rent they have to pay in order to be able to sell. What's worse is that there are days when their income is confiscated.)

The proposed Magna Carta calls for free and simplified registration for vendors, secure vending sites designated by the local government unit, recognition across LGUs, and access to social protection programs and social welfare interventions such as social security, health care, and insurance.

It also calls for the establishment of a Local Inter-Agency Council which will identify appropriate vending areas, oversee vendor protection, and ensure consultation, due process, and suitable temporary or relocation sites before vendors are displaced.

De Lima said her proposed bill adopts House Bill 11337 which was approved by the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress, and Senate Bill No. 1099 filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in the 20th Congress.

She added that similar measures were filed by Representatives Jernie Jett Nisay, Bryan Revilla, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Ramon Jolo Revilla III, and Senator Camille Villar in the 20th Congress. —KG, GMA News