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Vendors divided on ‘new look’ Divisoria stalls


 

Several vendors on Thursday were divided on the Manila City government’s installation of new vending stalls along Ilaya Street in Divisoria.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report on “24 Oras,” Renato Ulunan, a sidewalk vendor since 1980, said the new vending stalls will allow him to rent a store of his own without having to run whenever authorities decide to raid the area.

“Kung minsan nagkakahulihan… sa kalsada [lang kasi kami],” he said.

Teddy Erisano, who has been a vendor for 20 years, said he is also looking forward to renting the stalls, which each has lights and a power outlet..

“Napakahirap [‘pag may nanghuhuli]. Tatakbo dito, takbo doon, kung saan-saan. ‘Pag nahuli ka pa, wala na, ‘di na babalik [paninda],” he said.

However, several vendors were not in favor of the newly installed stalls because of the rule that two vendors have to share one stall.

“Tela po sa amin. Papaano ka makaka-share diyan? Ikaw ba kung asukal tinda mo, sa akin bigas, puwede ba ‘yan dito?” a fabric vendor said.

Meanwhile, merchants behind the stalls were also against them as their stores will be obscured from the street. They also voiced concerns about traffic and space to move.

“Kasi po ‘di po makikita ‘yong mga nakapuwesto dito sa loob. Kunwari may dumating pong tela, isang truck, magbababa ng tela tapos ipapasok sa bodega tapos magta-traffic na,” a merchant said.

“Mahihirapan din po kami maglabas ng mga kartilya ‘pag maghahatid sa mga buyer. Since nilagyan na nila ng ganiyan, ‘di na rin nakikita mga pangalan kasi may harang na siya,” another merchant added.

The Manila City government said that once the project opens, the sidewalk will be cleared to give way to customers.

It added that vendors will have to share stalls. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News

Tags: divisoria, news
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