Bayani Fernando to critics: Don’t coddle squatters, illegal vendors

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando appealed yesterday to militant groups to stop coddling illegal vendors and squatters.

In a telephone interview, Fernando told The STAR that his appeal was meant to put things in perspective in light of the militant groups’ allegations that he is anti-poor because of his determination to rid Metro Manila’s sidewalks of obstructions, which include illegal vendors.

Fernando added that the MMDA has in fact only cleared one percent of Metro Manila since his campaign. "We still have a long way to go. There’s a total of 9,600 kilometers of sidewalk in Metro Manila. Matagal pa bago maayos ang Metro Manila," he said.

The MMDA chair has time and again said that his campaign was meant for everybody, regardless of social status. "But what I am doing is really more for the benefit of the poor people," he said.

But Ron Hubbard, spokesperson for Bayan Muna- National Capital Region (NCR) said Fernando’s appeal to the militant groups was "absurd".

"In the first place, no consultation has been done between him and the vendors before (the MMDA) destroyed their (vendors) means of living. After what he has done, his call is an insult to the already toiling vendors. We will not stop staging protests until justice is attained," Hubbard said.

"How can we serve the rest of the poor people if we don’t work together?" Fernando continued.

As an example, Fernando said that local government units spend as much as P200,000 for the relocation of each squatter family. "The government does not know where to get the money (for relocation) anymore. We could lessen this cost if the people are willing to be relocated instead of staging protests that also delays the process," he said.

Fernando said that by working together, everybody could save the poor people from "wallowing in the mud".

Hubbard, however, said that the government destroys the (people’s) means of living, instead of providing them with decent jobs.