Vendors join clearing, flushing ops in Divisoria a day after protest

Some vendors and residents in Divisoria on Tuesday helped in clearing and flushing operations along Ylaya and M. De Santos Streets in Manila.

A day after the protest of a vendors’ group against the order of banning them in selected Manila streets, some vendors still chose to participate in the clearing operation.

In a video tweeted by Super Radyo dzBB’s Isa Avendaño-Umali, they could be seen splashing water on the pavement using hoses connected to a fire truck, while others were sweeping.

PANOORIN: Clearing at flushing operations sa kanto ng Ylaya at M. De Santos sa Divisoria, Maynila. Ang mga taga-barangay at mga vendor ay nagtutulong-tulong na sa paglilinis. | via @Isa_Umali https://t.co/Bb46PGipNS

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) November 19, 2019

Recently, Mayor Isko Moreno gave an order prohibiting street vendors from operating along a stretch of Ylaya after vendors left piles of trash in the area.

On Monday, the Divisoria Vendors Association led a protest action wherein vendors marched to the Manila City Hall protesting Moreno's move banning them from doing business along some sidewalks. 

The mayor said the vendors are entitled to express their grievances.

However, Moreno pointed out that he cannot entertain a dialogue with the vendors at the moment. Aside from the city government being busy, Moreno said the vendors were already given a chance before.

“Binigyan sila ng pagkakataon. Sinayang nila,” he said.

“We’re busy paving Ylaya. We’re busy na ayusin ‘yang mga kable ng kuryente at ‘yung mga pinagsasabit nila na mas mabigat pa sa kable ng kuryente, ‘yung panghi. We’re busy to attend to our jobs,” he added.

Some streets, infrastructures, and establishments in Manila are currently under restoration and renovation as part of the city's cleanup and rehabilitation efforts. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News