Street vendors back in Baclaran, Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The Parañaque City council has approved an ordinance allowing street vendors to use portions of Baclaran until Jan. 3 next year.

Vendors yesterday occupied the service road along Roxas Boulevard and the vicinity of the Redemptorist Church, causing traffic jams.

Under the ordinance, each vendor will pay the city government P3,000 per month.

Other designated areas for vendors are the sidewalks of Opena, Bayanihan, GG Cruz and Redemptorist Road.

Last month, Mayor Edwin Olivarez ordered a crackdown on street vendors and illegal jeepney terminals to ease traffic congestion in the city.

In Manila, the city government yesterday decided to allow hawkers to ply their trade along Divisoria and Recto.

Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said Mayor Joseph Estrada asked him to come up with a new program for vendors.

Moreno said the day and night regulated vending system would be implemented this month.

Under the program, hawkers will be allowed to use the designated vending sites around the clock.

Around 4,000 vendors will benefit from the scheme, Moreno said. – Perseus Echeminada, Ai e Balagtas See