Keep a Pen

MANILA, Philippines--Former Metropolitan MAnila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Bayani Fernando Thursday asked his successor to think twice before scrapping programs he had implemented at the agency, especially the campaign to clear sidewalks of obstructions, including ambulant vendors.

Earlier the agency’s new chair, retired judge Oscar Inocentes, announced a moratorium on the crackdown against sidewalk vendors “in the spirit of the season.”

Inocentes, however, said the drive would resume next month as he also warned vendors to stay on the sidewalk and keep off the streets to avoid causing traffic.

Fernando’s sidewalk clearing operations had incurred the ire of urban poor groups, who accused the MMDA of violating their rights. It even led to violent clashes between sidewalk vendors and MMDA personnel, resulting in several deaths on both sides and leaving scores others injured.

According to Fernando, the projects he had implemented during his nine years at the helm of the MMDA were the products of extensive study and observation.

Sacrifices

“I hope he [Inocentes] would study well [his decision] because what we started might be wasted like the sidewalk vending [drive]. You know, the MMDA has sacrificed a lot for that program. Six MMDA men died to resolve that problem. So I hope he would think twice about that matter,” he said at the Serye forum in Quezon City.

Fernando added that because of the agency’s clearing operations, pedestrians had become more aware that they, and not vendors, should occupy sidewalks.

He stressed that if the program was stopped, this might lead to the return to the streets of vendors and other obstructions.

At the same time, it could also make them bolder about violating the law, Fernando warned, adding that if you give these vendors an inch, they might grab a mile.

“If you allow them to operate during Christmas, every day would be Christmas. The song was right. [That campaign] needs to be sustained and backed with determination. A vendor would be reluctant at first to go on the road, but if he gets used to it, he would lose all shame and would start selling in the middle of the street. As he earns money, he would be more emboldened,” he said.

However, Fernando said he would harbor no ill feelings toward Inocentes should the latter decide to do away with his projects.

“I would not feel bad if he changes the programs I had. There are no permanent things, especially when it comes to traffic concerns,” he said.

Fernando recently left the MMDA to pursue his ambition to seek higher office. He is the running mate of Sen. Richard Gordon, who is aspiring for the presidency.

Sought for comment, the MMDA clarified that despite the moratorium, vendors would not be allowed to occupy sidewalks or roads that had not been designated as vending areas.

“There will be no demolition until the end of the month of all existing encroachment on the sidewalks but we will not allow new vendors to occupy any part of sidewalks or roadways that have been previously cleared of obstructions,” Inocentes told the Inquirer.

He said the agency would not permit vendors to convert streets for their personal use and add to the heavy volume of traffic this Christmas.

“They will be allowed to remain on the sidewalks but once they do business right on the streets where they will cause traffic, we will go after them. Our moratorium on demolition does not mean we will let them put up new structures in the sidewalk,” he added.

“If they encroach on the streets, that’s when we will remove them,” MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno also said.

“There’s no incongruency with the policy of former Chairman Fernando …” he added.