Isko Moreno: No special permits for Divisoria vendors this Christmas season

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday said no special permits will be given to vendors in Divisoria for the Christmas season.

"Wala naman po," Moreno told GMA News' Unang Balita when asked if the city government will issue special permits for vendors who will sell in the famous shopping area's streets for the -ber months.

Moreno said the city government will aim to keep the streets in Divisoria clear for motorists and the public to use.

"Basta pipilitin po natin manatiling ganyan pa rin ang kalye ng Recto, Soler, at Juan Luna at 'yung iba pang lugar na pinanatili nating naibalik sa taongbayan," he said.

Moreno said even if no special permits will be issued, existing vendors will in fact earn more this Christmas season.

"Tingin ko naman ho, mas lalaki ang benta kasi nakikita niyo 'yung Roman at Ilaya, Tabora, Carmen Planas, 'yung mga lugar na 'yan may mga tinda ang mga kababayan natin diyan. 'Yung mga nawala dito, du'n naman natin nilagay, in-accommodate du'n sa likod mismo ng Tutuban," he added.

"Pipilitin nating mapanatiling ganyan ang Recto sapagkat tingin ko naman, bagay lamang na mapakinabangan ng pangkalahatan itong kalye na ito," he said.

"'Pag nag-umpisa na naman tayo ng lagayan diyan ng mga kung anu-ano, baka mahirap nang ibalik muli sa taongbayan. So more than anything else, ang mahalaga sa atin, 'yung kalye maging available sa pangkalahatan," Moreno added.

The mayor said bashers are free to think what they want but city government officials only have good intentions in keeping streets clear.

"Basta po kami, sampu ng mga kawani ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Maynila, wala po kaming masamang intensiyon sa totoo lamang. Karapatan ng kahit sino kung ano ang isipin niya. Basta po tayo, ang gusto lang natin, walang magka-cutting trip lalo na magpa-Pasko," he said.

Moreno said public utility jeeps were forced to cut trips since the roads were unpassable due to vendors occupying routes. This practice however, puts the public at a disadvantage, he said.

"Kaya nagka-cutting trip, kasi sarado ang kalye. Eh sa cutting trip, ang tinatamaan din diyan ang mga mahihirap, mga empleyado na gusto nang makauwi sa hapon (na) otso oras sa trabaho, mga senior citizen," he said.

"Biro mo, ang pamasahe mo etneb (P20). Ang biyahe mo pusam (P10). Unfair naman 'yon," he said.

"Plus, hindi po ba mas maganda kung ang kalye napapakinabangan ng tao?... For 20 years mahigit, napakinabangan naman nila (vendors)," Moreno said.

On July 2, two days after Moreno took his oath of office as city mayor, he ordered that Divisoria be cleared of street vendors. 

Moreno also bared that there was an attempt to bribe him to let up on his campaign to rid the city's streets and sidewalks of illegal vendors.

“May mga nagparating lang sa akin na mensahe na P5 million a day, P150 million a month, P1.8 billion a year,” Moreno said.

“Simple lang ang sinabi ko. 'Subukan niyo.' Oh, hindi na tumawag,” he added.

The mayor said he will allow the vendors to make a living while following legal processes. —KG, GMA News