Vendors shut down Taft Avenue

MANILA, Philippines - At least 2,000 illegal vendors – and their families – have practically shut down a kilometer-long segment of Taft Avenue, officials said yesterday.

Taft Avenue is a national road identified by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as a vital link that could help ease the traffic gridlocks near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The illegal vendors who occupied Taft Avenue have been in the area for the past 20 years, barangay and city officials told The STAR.

Dexter Mangorangka – chairman of Barangay 79, which has jurisdiction over the area – said in an interview that the city government “awarded” spaces in Libertad Market to Maranaw traders.

“They were allowed to stay in area to sell their wares,” he said.

Mangorangka said over time, the vendors built shanties and tents in the area and took over most of Taft Avenue’s lanes.

“They practically live in the area, they are now my constituents,” he said.

Members of the Pasay City Mayor’s Total Clean Team said they were deployed in the area to keep half of the avenue’s southbound lane open to tricycles and light vehicles.

However, Taft Avenue’s northbound lane is totally closed to traffic after vendors set up permanent structures and tents. Even pedestrians are having a hard time passing through the area, they said.

Mangorangka said the vendors are divided into seven groups. Each group has its own leader, who assigns an area to a vendor.

“The barangay has nothing to do with the designation of places. It’s the presidents of the groups who talk to city hall officials,” he said.

The barangay chairman also said he has no idea if the vendors are paying for the space they occupied along the national road.

Last week, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said Taft Avenue is among the national roads that have not been used because they have been occupied by illegal vendors and informal settlers.

He said Taft Avenue is a direct link to Quirino Avenue in Manila but it is not possible to open the national road at this time due to the structures along the road. 

“People set up their shanties along the road. Some take a bath or wash their clothes along the side of the road,” Singson said.