Lawless Philippines: Barangay Officials Allow Dangerous Illegal Roadside Restaurant

The Philippines is full of entrepreneurs doing anything and everything they can to support their families. Some Filipinos set up kiosks selling snacks. Others sell fried chicken from mobile fried chicken stands. In this case someone set up a restaurant on the side of a busy street. 

I'm not sure how long this set up has been there but I don't remember seeing it the week before I took this picture. 

Now, of course all the usual things can be said such as it's in a dangerous location blocking auto and pedestrian traffic and it likely has no permit to operate but nobody cares. They have customers and probably no one who has driven by this spot has filed a complaint. Surely the PNP have passed by but they aren't ones to enforce the law unless pressed to do so. 

There are two ways to look at it. As Filipinos doing what they must to survive or as a nuisance that should be taken down. I consider it the latter. 

Believe it or not this dangerous and illegal set up is right next to the Barangay Hall. Of course I spoke with the barangay officials. One official was a former chairman and current kagawad while the other was the chairman. The kagawad informed me he knew the restaurant was located in a dangerous area blocking pedestrian and auto traffic but he allowed them to operate out of consideration for their livelihood. After all, they take it down at 4 in the afternoon. The kagawad also told me they asked permission from him specifically because he was a former chairman. We both spoke with the current chairman and he related the same sentiments, namely,  consideration must be made for these people to make a livelihood. 

In essence these two officials are knowingly and willingly creating a dangerous situation, breaking their oath of office, and shirking their duties and responsibilities to the public.

The barangay chairman's duties are as follows:

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/1991/10oct/19911010-RA-7160-CCA.pdf

1. (a)  Enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the Barangay;

13. (n)  Promote the general welfare of the Barangay; 

The duties of the barangay kagawads include:

1. (a)  Assist the Punong Barangay in the discharge of his duties and functions;

2. (b)  Act as peace officers in the maintenance of public order and safety

Presumably all the laws and ordinances of the Philippines are applicable within every Barangay and enforcing them would promote the general welfare. That would include needing a business and health permit to operate a restaurant and not blocking sidewalks and roads.

But who cares about the law and safety when we must take into consideration these people need to make a livelihood even if they are endangered while doing so? Such a wanton disregard for the law and the safety of the community because it benefits a few people reminds me of this image:

A full video of the illegal roadside restaurant can be seen here:

Restaurant Obstructing the Sidewalk

If there is one thing I really despise in the Philippines it's all the sidewalk and roadway obstructions.  And here's another one!

Why would they do this?  Who gave them the permit? Who gave them the go ahead?  It makes me so angry because it should not be there. Look at the first picture.  You literally have to either walk in the street or around the back. Most people will be walking in the street like the person in the first picture is doing. Remember when the president himself ordered the clearing of all sidewalk obstructions? And here we are back to zero. 

In Surigao del Norte legislation has been filed to regulate the use of sidewalks. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/20/22/surigao-del-norte-lawmaker-wants-govt-to-regulate-sidewalk-use

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers wants government to regulate the use of sidewalks. 

Under House Bill 1545 that he filed, it is unlawful for anyone to build any edifice, stall and other similar structures, put up any business and other forms of obstruction, leave garbage and other junk materials, and engage in ambulant vending on sidewalks.

Other acts that tend to impede or obstruct the use of sidewalks which are meant to service pedestrians are also prohibited. 

Barbers' proposed measure states that special permits may be issued by authorities for the temporary use of sidewalks for businesses like vulcanizing shops, repair shops, parking spaces, eateries, advertisement spaces, and other similar activities.

Without such a permit, any act that impedes the free movement of people on sidewalks will be deemed unlawful and punishable by a penalty ranging from P 1,000 to P 10,000. 

Any objects blocking the sidewalk will be confiscated by local officials, the bill said. 

City and municipal governments will be in charge of implementing this if it lapses into law. 

"It is of no secret that urban areas have become so congested that people tend to disregard order and do things convenient to them," Barbers said in the bill's explanatory note. 

"Small businesses have used and occupied our sidewalks leaving pedestrians with no choice but to walk by the roadside, thus exposing them to greater risks of bodily injury and even death. Residents who do not have parking spaces in their houses use the streets for their parking lots," the lawmaker noted.

"Our roads are not built for such purposes and the taxpayers have all the right to complain," he said.

It is ridiculous that a bill like this has to be filed but even if it becomes law can the people really count on it being enforced?

Copycat Businesses

Why do you do when you have a failing business?  You copycat a successful business and hope for the best.

This place used to be called something like "Juan's Resto Bar."  It's just your normal everyday karaoke joint. Nothing special.  But then a new restaurant opened in the mall.

Do you see what they did?

The "V" sounds like a "B" so they changed the name of their place to "Bikingz" in imitation of this successful chain restaurant.  They even have a viking riding a bike as their logo.  

It's reminiscent of the movie "Coming to America" where there was a restaurant called "McDowell's" which was an imitation of "McDonald's."

Every House, Every Shanty a Restaurant or a Sari-Sari Store or Both

What does the Filipino do when he needs a little cash and there are no jobs that will hire him?  He goes into business for himself of course! 

Step one:  Borrow a little cash from a friend or a relative who you will pay back later, honest! Maybe even entice them to invest with the promise of profit sharing.

Step two:  Go to SM Mart or the Central Market and stock up on laundry powder, instant coffee, ramen noodles, and snacks of various kinds. Buy large quantities of viands to prepare.

Step Three: Buy a huge glass display case to show off all your wares.

Step four:  Set up shop!  Start cooking the viands for lunchtime customers.  Prepare a table space where they can eat.

Step Five:  Don't worry about taxes or business permits or health inspectors.  You don't need the hassle. You're just trying to make some money and what's wrong with that?