Manila to crack down on junk shops buying, selling stolen manholes

An official of the city government of Manila yesterday threatened to send to prison and cancel the business permits of junk shops that would be proven engaged in the buying and selling of stolen manholes.

Manila City Hall Deputy Mayor Don Bagatsing told reporters that they would file charges of violation of the anti-fencing law and would rescind the business permit of junk shops that would be found engaged in the buying and selling of stolen iron-made manholes.

Bagatsing said Mayor Lito Atienza had asked him to inspect these shops. "The inspections would be done at the soonest possible time and would be conducted by the Business Permit Office and the Engineering Division."

They decided to launch the campaign against these criminal activities after they received several reports of missing manholes along the whole stretch of Sta. Cruz. Barangay chairmen have also informed him about several missing manholes along Pedro Gil Street, along Malvar Street in Taft Avenue, Tondo, and Punta in Sta. Ana. He said this problem should be addressed immediately because this "can cause danger to motorists and pedestrians" especially during these rainy months when the streets are flooded and it is hardly visible for the public to see an opening.

The illegal buying and selling of manhole lids is a lucrative business for some people because in just a short time they would be able to detach the manhole. Each manhole is worth P4,0000 and they can be sold of at the least price of P500.

Even the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had been deliberating on this problem for years and is still looking for a suitable replacement for iron made manholes.

The new product should be strong enough to carry the weight of the passing vehicles, made of cheap material, and not attractive to thieves.

The city official said the illegal removal of the manholes is detrimental to the Buhayin ng Maynila program.

Early on the Manila City Hall complained about the destruction of their lighting program in three bridges namely the Nagtahan Bridge, Jones Bridge and Juan Luna Bridge.

He admitted that this was not the first time that they have victimized by thieves and that they have even apprehended some of them but they have oftentimes been allowed to post bail.

Bagatsing added, "Lately, there are checkpoints along the Nagtahan Bridge, that leads to Malacanang, because they have intensified their security because of the impeachment proceedings and street demonstrations against President Arroyo."