Makati clears sidewalks along EDSA

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City government on Tuesday cleared the sidewalks in Guadalupe along EDSA of illegal vendors as part of the drive to clear the streets of obstructions.

Makati City acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña said personnel of the city’s Department of Environmental Services (DES) combed the sidewalks along EDSA that are covered by Barangays Guadalupe Nuevo and Guadalupe Viejo and removed illegal stalls and drove away ambulant vendors.

Peña said the Makati City government has provided specific areas for the vendors where they can continue selling their wares without blocking traffic.

According to Peña, the clearing operation was done so that pedestrians would be able to use the sidewalks again.

“It is a common sight in Guadalupe Nuevo to see vendors occupying the sidewalks instead of pedestrians who are forced to walk on the highway,” Peña said.

“The successful operation is an inter-department effort, and I am thanking both offices for spearheading Makati in this collaborative activity,” he added.

Peña however said the vendors in Guadalupe were not displaced.

“Through participative dialogue, we proposed to the vendors to cease peddling along the sidewalks and assigned an area for them to which they agreed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Peña said jeepneys plying the Guadalupe-Cartimar route could temporarily park at the Cloverleaf to pick up passengers one at a time.

Only when a jeepney has left that another Cartimar-bound jeepney can take its place and pick up passengers.

“All jeepneys are no longer allowed to overstay and although still picking up passengers, they must move when the traffic signal in Cloverleaf turns green,” he said.

In addition, jeepney “barkers” and ambulant vegetable vendors with pushcarts are no longer allowed in Cloverleaf.

Peña also said the Makati City government would be holding a traffic and transport conference on Friday at the Sampiro Conference Room of the Makati City Hall.

Peña said various issues and concerns, as well as solutions and alternative plans related to traffic problems would be discussed in the conference. Local chief executives of Metro Manila, and representatives from national and regional government agencies are expected to attend the conference.