About 2,000 vendors, who were displaced during a clearing operation early yesterday in Manila, will be given alternative vending sites, Mayor Joseph Estrada assured them.
Despite his pledge to give the displaced vendors a place where they can continue selling, Estrada did not bare much about the plan saying that the names of those vendors affected by the clearing operation were already listed and that he will make a way for them.
“Pinalilista ko nga ‘yung mga pangalan ng mga nawalan ng pwesto. Hayaan mo gagawa tayo ng paraan,” Estrada told the vendors.
Estrada along with 1,000 police and city personnel conducted a clearing operation in Divisoria to rid illegal vendors and structures that have occupied the main road.
Hundreds of makeshift stalls and other illegal structures along the sidewalks and center islands of Juan Luna Street and nearby side streets were dismantled.
“Wala tayong magagawa, ang daming reklamo ng mga motorista. At ‘yung mga establishments na natatakpan sila,” Estrada said.
With this, Estrada had given the vendors a 15-day notice to voluntarily vacate the areas not designated for vending.
“Wala tayong magagawa dahil ginagawa natin ang mas nakakabuti sa nakararami. Ihahanap natin sila ng lugar na pwedeng tindahan, hahanap tayo ng paraan,” Estrada assured.
According to City Engineer Roberto Bernardo the operation that affected 2,000 vendors covered the streets of Juan Luna, Recto Avenue, Soler, Dapitan, and adjacent roads.
The extensive clearing and cleanup of the popular market district started on late June following Estrada’s order for a citywide cleanup of Manila’s streets. Some 5,000 illegal vendors have been affected by this renewed campaign. (Betheena Kae Unite)