Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso expressed dismay as he saw the piles of garbageĀ at Divisoria in Binondo, Manila, during a surprise pre-dawn inspection on Monday.
Scrap vegetables and various plastic wastes of vendors littered Ilaya Street as Moreno inspected the area around 5:30 a.m.
As penalty, Moreno said, vendorsĀ wouldĀ no longer be allowed to sell in the area.
“Tatanggalin natin sila. Mamaya, ‘di na sila pwedeng magtinda,” he said.
“Kasi, dadaan āyung mga papasok sa trabaho, papasok sa eskwela tapos makikita nila puro basura. Hindi naman po tama ‘yun,” Moreno added.
On the other hand, Moreno maintained that his policy on street and sidewalk vending since he assumedĀ offices remains the same.
This, amid reports that street vendors could now return to Divisoria once they comply with Moreno’s conditions.
“Chismis lang ‘yun,” he said.
Moreno clarified that street and sidewalk vendors are still not allowed on Juan Luna St. in Binondo, Juan Luna St. in Tondo, on Soler St. and along the stretch of Recto Ave., particularly from Asuncion to Abad Santo streets.
“It’s non-negotiable [for them to be allowed],” Moreno said.
Meanwhile, vendors can keep selling on the streets ofĀ Ilaya,Ā Carmen Planas,Ā Zamora andĀ Sto. Cristo, and on other perpendicular roads.
However, the mayor told vendors to keep their areas clean or face penalty.
“‘Pag ‘di sila naglinis, ‘di na sila makakapagtinda. The same thing that happened to them [vendors of Ilaya],” he added.
Moreno also reminded vendors never to bribe anyone, including barangay officials who were allegedly collecting money for them to be allowed to sell.
The mayor said the local government has its own men who are in charge of collecting payments that go to the coffers of the city government. (Joseph Pedrajas)