Removal of pig pens near Taboan starts tomorrow

Makeshift pig pens at the roadside of Lakandula Street near the Taboan Public Market will be removed beginning tomorrow by members of the City Hall demolition team.

Retired police major Vicente Mercado, chief of the Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division, noticed that at least seven pig pens have been built beside Lakandula Street where pigs and other animals are kept while waiting for prospective buyers.

He vows to clear the vicinity of the Taboan public market of any illegal structures, most especially the unsightly makeshift pig sties.

“Hugaw kaayo tan-awon. Unahon nato ni paglimpyo kay ngil-ad og labyan lang nato ni nga di-a na ta mag-opisina sa Taboan market,” Mercado said.

Hog merchants have already used said area since 2002, but their illegal activities were momentarily stopped by then market administrator Elpidio “Jojo” dela Victoria.

Aside from the demolition of these illegal structures, Mercado’s personnel will also intensify their campaign against pushcarts that are used as rolling stores which are noticed to have contributed to the problem on traffic congestion.

Last Friday, SPEED personnel confiscated 38 units of pushcarts after these were found to have reportedly obstructed the flow of traffic.

Owners who paid fines worth P350 managed to retrieve their pushcarts, but unclaimed pushcarts were taken to the SPEED old office in North Reclamation Area for impounding.

Around 1,000 pushcarts are operating in the city. Some traders rent pushcarts for P25 a day as rolling stores to market certain products. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV