MMDA conducts road clearing of Mabuhay Lanes anew

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday cleared Mabuhay Lanes anew of street vendors and illegally parked cars that returned after the initial road-clearing efforts.

According to a report on 24 Oras by Mark Salazar, the MMDA conducted their clearing operations on Carlos Palanca Street, which is part of Mabuhay Lane Route 6.

Mabuhay or Christmas lanes are alternative routes to popular holiday shopping destinations that aim to cut down travel time.

Rene Homecillada of the MMDA said they returned to the street to clear the road of street vendors and vehicles.

“No’ng nakaraan malinis na ‘yung Avenida at saka ‘yung Quiapo. Ngayon bumalik na naman sila, so araw-arawin din naming i-operate ‘yung lugar na ito,” he said.

Homecillada said vendors can claim their confiscated goods at the MMDA’s impounding area in Pasig City.

However, some vendors said they do not make enough money to travel all the way to Pasig from Manila.

“Ang layo layo, ang dami pang proses bago namin makuha. Magkano lang sahod namin dito, pupuntahan pa namin doon,” Baby Minglanilla said.

Despite persistent efforts from authorities to clear roads in adherence to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order, many drivers still park their vehicles in major pathways.

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya earlier said the agency plans to implement another round of nationwide road clearing operations.  — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News