MANILA, Philippines - The Taguig City government on Monday said it has formed a task group that would clear the stretch of C-5 Road of illegal vendors and structures.
Mayor Lani Cayetano said the C-5 Task Force is made up of representatives from different city hall offices, and that its main objective is to clear the sidewalks of nuisances.
"We want to ensure that sidewalks are utilized by the public for its intended purpose. Also, we want to address traffic problems while improving the appearance of Taguig," Cayetano said, adding that the clearing operations began early this month.
She said that the C-5 Task Force is not only mandated to get rid of illegal structures and makeshift stalls, but is also responsible for clearing the areas along the C-5 road of anything deemed as an obstruction, including vendors and garbage dumps, among others.
Illegal structures like makeshift stalls, eateries and stores tend to obstruct the flow of pedestrians in sidewalks, making them a nuisance to the community. They also cause minor traffic problems as people tend to use roads as walking paths when the sidewalks are filled with these structures, the mayor said.
She said that the clearing operation is in accordance with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s resolution No. 02-28 that authorizes local government units to clear the sidewalks, streets, avenues, alleys, bridges, parks, and other public places of all illegal structures and obstructions.
She noted that the clearing process takes time because those operating makeshift stalls and other vendors tend to return after a period of time, delaying the clearing progress.
"The clearing is still on its early stages but we are expecting positive results," she said.