The festive season may bring back Iloilo City’s signature holiday buzz, but this year, vendors are on notice: “no permit, no stall.”
Mayor Raisa S. Treñas has issued Executive Order No. 139-2025, authorizing open sidewalk vending along designated streets for the holiday rush — but only for those who comply with strict permitting requirements.
The order allows vendors to operate on November 15–16, 22–23, 29–30, and December 1–31, but emphasizes that anyone caught selling without a permit will be removed from their stalls immediately.
Each vendor is required to secure a special vending permit and pay a Php500 stall fee to the City Treasurer’s Office.
The Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO), in coordination with the Public Order and Safety Management Office (POSMO), will oversee the implementation of the EO — from identifying stall locations and spacing to ensuring that vending does not obstruct pedestrian movement or traffic flow.
Designated vending areas include portions of Iznart, J.M. Basa, Ledesma, Valeria, and Delgado Streets, as well as sections near Jaro, Molo, and Mandurriao Plazas. These areas have traditionally been hotspots for Christmas shoppers seeking affordable goods and local treats.
The move, according to Treñas, strikes a balance between livelihood and order.
“We want to give our vendors a chance to earn during the holidays, but they must operate responsibly. Opportunity must come with discipline,” she said.
The mayor noted that the policy aligns with the city’s broader goal of promoting economic recovery while maintaining public safety and cleanliness in crowded areas.
Under the EO, the POSMO Special Services Division will inspect stalls regularly to ensure compliance with sanitation standards and business permits. Vendors found without permits or violating size and distance rules will face immediate closure of their stalls.
“The city welcomes the spirit of the holidays,” Treñas said, “but order and respect for public spaces must always come first.”IMT
