Stop Vending On The Side Of The Highway!

One of the most unsafe aspects of the Philippines is major roads are built in a way that they are flanked by houses and businesses with no buffer between them and the highway. That is why speeding trucks will often plow into houses when the driver falls asleep at the wheel or loses his brakes going around a curve. One some highways there are also vendors. It's a recipe for disaster. In fact, recently a tanker plowed into a highway vendor killing him and his niece. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/06/vendor-niece-killed-as-tanker-plows-into-food-cart-in-negros-occidental

A 36-year-old vendor and her 17-year-old niece were killed and the vendor’s 19-year-old son was injured after a fuel tanker truck rammed their food cart in Barangay Palaka, Valladolid, Negros Occidental on Sunday, July 5.

Police identified the victims as Ramilie, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Valladolid, and her minor niece, of E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, who was on vacation with her relatives in Valladolid.

Police Master Sgt. Eduardo Combong, traffic investigator of Valladolid Municipal Police Station, said the victims were preparing their food cart when the truck driven by 57-year-old Dionesio of Barangay Handumanan here hit them.

The driver claimed that he dozed off and lost control of the vehicle as he left Candonie, Negros Occidental before dawn early that day to deliver fuel.

Ramilie was declared dead in a hospital while her niece passed away later that night. Mhiko, Ramilie’s son, was injured and recuperating in a hospital here.

Charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide were filed by the minor’s family against the driver on Monday, July 6. The family of the vendor and her son have yet to decide.

The College of Allied Medical Health Sciences (CAMHS) Student Council of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) in this city where Mhiko is studying is raising funds to assist his family with medical expenses.

Why do so many truckers in the Philippines doze off? Is it due to overwork? In some countries truckers are only allowed to drive a designated number of hours and then must take a break. It's something that should be investigated. 

This is certainly a preventable tragedy. Perhaps now the city will ban all vendors from the side of the highway.  Nope!

https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/07/valladolid-reviewing-road-safety-measures-after-fatal-crash

The municipal government of Valladolid in Negros Occidental is reviewing road safety measures for roadside vendors following a fatal accident that claimed two lives in Barangay Palaka on Sunday, July 5. 

Mayor Ricardo Presbitero Jr. said Tuesday, July 7, that economic and tourism activities in the area have been temporarily suspended while the local government reassesses the policies governing vendors operating at the site. 

The boulevard has become a popular destination for tourists, prompting the barangay council to allow vending activities before the tragedy. 

Presbitero said the municipal government has discussed measures that would allow vendors to resume their livelihood once stricter safety protocols are in place. These include designated selling areas and specific hours for setting up food carts and conducting business. 

He added that the local government will coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the installation of clearer road markings and traffic signs as well as the stricter enforcement of speed limits on the road.

A boulevard!? NO!! This is a highway. A main thoroughfare. It's not a "boulevard." Take a look at the image below from Google Maps. 

Google Maps

While that is likely not the exact location of the accident, it is the same area. 

The only way to keep the public safe is to not allow people and vendors in the area. But the sad fact is the city will likely allow it because the poor people to sell their wares somewhere. As if being poor is an excuse to throw all safety precautions out the window. Chucking the rules shows contempt and not compassion for the people.