Park vendors to seek NPDC head’s ouster

MANILA, Philippines - A group of vendors evicted from Rizal Park yesterday said they will seek the ouster of National Parks and Development Committee (NPDC) chairperson Juliet Villegas.

Members of the People’s Democratic Hawkers and Vendors Alliance said they will continue to sell their wares in the park.

 Joel Miraltes, PDHVA secretary general, said they will march to Malacañang next week to seek the ouster of Villegas.

He said Villegas refused to hold a dialogue with them.

The vendors clashed with policemen and security guards Tuesday after the NPDC ordered their eviction from the park in line with its “zero vendor” policy.

Miraltes said the NPDC should give them alternative livelihood.

Manila Police District Station 5 commander Superintendent Ferdinand Quirante said they will conduct another operation to keep Rizal Park free of hawkers.

He said the vendors were given enough time to leave the park but they refused.

Quirante said they would maintain maximum tolerance to avoid violence with the vendors.