Lagusnilad underpass now clear of vendors after Isko orders cleanup

The Lagusnilad underpass near the Manila City Hall was free of illegal vendors on Tuesday following clearing operations ordered by Mayor Isko Moreno.

The busy underground walkway, which connects the City Hall and Intramuros, had long been occupied by illegal vendors. 

As of an early morning report by Jonathan Andal on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday, there were no more stalls seen operating along the underpass.

The city government, however, had yet to tend to damaged tiled walls, as well as some trash seen on the floor.

Nevertheless, several pedestrians welcomed the walkway's improved state.

WATCH: Maluwag na ang nadaraanan ng mga tao sa City Hall Underpass.

Ayon sa mga pedestrian, dati, sa gitna lang sila nakadaraan dahil sakop ng mga vendor ang magkabilang gilid ng underground walkway @gmanews pic.twitter.com/fXc3JOjIcx

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) July 15, 2019

WATCH: Mga regular na dumaraan sa City Hall Underpass, ikinatuwa ang bagong itsura nito ngayon @gmanews pic.twitter.com/G2mr2jovRv

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) July 15, 2019

Pedestrians previously had to weave through a tight, cramped space dominated by stalls to get to Intramuros from the City Hall and vice versa.

Meanwhile, vendors who used to sell their wares at the underpass appealed to Moreno to provide a space where they can continue their livelihood.

Ilang mga vendor na pinaalis sa City Hall Underpass, humihingi kay Mayor Isko Moreno nang lilipatan para maipagpatuloy ang kanilang negosyo @gmanews pic.twitter.com/pW2nWnprkl

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) July 15, 2019

One of the vendors who chose to be identified only as "Jojo" said all 54 vendors in the area had to pay P500 for a permit, and P10 for electricity per day to an "organizer" to be allowed to sell in the underpass.

Naniniwala si alias Jojo na may koneksyon sa loob ng City Hall ng Maynila ang kanilang organizer @gmanews

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) July 15, 2019

He believes the "organizer" has a connection to Manila City Hall. —Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News