MMDA chief halts drive vs vendors

After two years of intense clearing operations against illegal sidewalk vendors, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has decided to take itself out of the picture.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said yesterday he ordered two weeks ago the gradual pullout of 600 personnel from sidewalk clearing operations to prevent future skirmishes with vendors. The group had been tasked to destroy stalls and confiscate the goods sold by illegal vendors.

"Matagal na naming pinag-iisipan yan. Naawa na ako sa mga tao namin, madami na ang nasasaktan at meron nang tatlong namatay o nabaril," Fernando said.

He denied that he received political pressure from government officials to back off the campaign against illegal vending.

During the time of his dedicated campaign to clear the streets of illegal vendors, the MMDA chief said they only achieved a 50 percent effectivity rate along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila because some vendors remained stubborn and continued to return to their old spots.

Following this development, maintenance responsibility would now be delegated to the local stations of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"Mabuting sa pulis na yan. They have 16,000 personnel in Metro Manila. Meron silang baril. At least matatakot na sila (vendors). Mas appropriate na at this point dahil manageable na yan," he said.

As to the comment of Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad, who said the MMDA should finish the job that they started, Fernando replied: "Eh paano iyon, limited lang ang tao namin, magastos pa."

However, he clarified that the MMDA will continue to conduct physical clearing operations against other forms of obstruction, such as walls, metallic items that stick out and other structures that block the roads and sidewalks.

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Local government units and police welcomed the decision of Fernando to take his hands off the clearing operations against illegal vendors.

"It has been done. We have no choice but take responsibility," said Trinidad, who is also the spokesman of the Metro Manila Mayors League.

The mayor, who said the league has not officially met yet to discuss the issue.

"But I still think that if they (MMDA) took on this responsibility and has been effective so far, they must continue with it," Trinidad said.

He also said Fernando must not be affected by complainants because they are part of the job.

"If Mr. Fernando thinks that what he’s doing is right, he should not mind critics," Trinidad said.

Police said they would take the responsibility since it is their job in the first place to implement the law.

The MMDA earlier worked hand in hand with local police in the operations, especially on Redemptorist Road in Baclaran, Parañaque City.

Parañaque City police chief Superintendent Ronald Estilles said they see no problem following the decision of the MMDA.

"We have no problem with the decision. We really are the ones responsible for implementing the law," Estilles said in an interview.

Local police came into the picture after MMDA enforcers have been hurt in clashes with vendors during operations. Three MMDA men have been killed in Baclaran last year.

However, legitimate vendors in Baclaran doubted the capability of police to sustain the MMDA’s successful drive.

A leader of a Baclaran vendors’ association said they fear that chaos would soon be back on Redemptorist Road.

"Maayos na nga ngayon, eh. Ang kinatatakot naming baka bumalik yung mga vendors na dayo," he told The STAR. — With Edu Punay