MMDA resumes sidewalk clearing operations after holidays lull

MANILA, Philippines (Philstar.com) – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) resumed today its sidewalk clearing operations in the metropolis, driving away more than 750 vendors that have been obstructing traffic flow.

After the holidays, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino directed Undersecretary Alex Cabanilla to lead a contingent of anti-illegal vendor unit in clearing the sidewalks of Balintawak Market in Edsa, Quezon City, and the Edsa-Taft area in Pasay City during simultaneous operations that started at dawn.

“We have given the sidewalk vendors until January 2, and this not extendable. They now have to go,” Tolentino said.

He said the vendors and the local government units (LGUs) were given prior notice, true to the agency’s advocacy of “discipline with compassion” in dealing with the sidewalk vendors.

“We are grateful to the LGUs for supporting us in this campaign. This only goes to show that violence and untoward incidents can be prevented if all the concerned sectors are working together,” Tolentino said.

The agency also targeted Baclaran but the city government of Parañaque asked the MMDA to postpone the clearing operation in the area until Jan. 7.

Tolentino said he hopes to delegate the sidewalk clearing operations to the concerned LGUs, instead of the MMDA.

This week, the MMDA will be conducting similar clearing operations along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, particularly in pedestrian footbridges that have been occupied by illegal vendors.

Tolentino said all these operations will be coordinated with and will have the active participation of the LGUs.

MMDA suspended sidewalk clearing operations last month to give vendors the opportunity to earn a living during the Christmas. The reprieve, however, was only for those who do not obstruct vehicular and pedestrian traffic. (report from Dennis Carcamo, Philstar.com)