Quiapo vendors complain about surprise clearing ops

Vendors around the Quiapo area expressed dismay over Thursday's unannounced clearing operations, purportedly done in preparation for the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on January 9.

GMA News' Mark Salazar reported on 24 Oras that vendors stationed along Hidalgo and Gomez Streets lamented the surprise cleanup operation.

"Anong gagawin niyo sa amin? Wala! Namili pa naman ho kami kani-kaninang umaga. Dapat ho kagabi, sinabi na nila sa amin na bawal magtinda o zero kayo bukas. Wala, ho! Kahit kapirasong papel dapat nagbibigay sila. Nung araw ganyan," Norma Esteban said.

But the head of Hawkers Manila argued that the vendors did not coordinate with them, adding that selling in the area was a privilege that could be revoked any time.

"Paanong hindi nasabihan? [December] 30 wala nga sila rito e. Hindi naman sila nakipag-usap sa amin na kung pwede na silang magtinda. Eh kako, hindi karapatan 'yun, pribilehiyo lang nila 'yun. Anytime pwede nating i-revoke 'yun para maalis sila dito," Samuel Dueñas said.

However, the vendors said they believed that it was legal to sell in the streets until January 7 as long as they paid the Hawkers ticket, the ETNEB, or a P20 rent per day.

"Naningil pa nga kahapon a unong a uno. Naningil pa yung etneb etneb (bente-bente), walang nagsasabi sa'min. Ang alam namin paliligpitin kami sa January 7 hanggang January 9, a diyes makakabalik kami 'pag tinanggal kami sa 7. Eh ba't ngayon ura-urada a dos palang ngayon!" Teresita dela Cruz said.

The vendors were also told they can sell their items until they reach a line on the street.

However, Dueñas clarified vendors were only allowed to do so until Monday, December 30.

"Ah hindi na effective 'yan. Tingnan natin kung pagkatapos ng traslacion ay papayagan sila," he said.

Aside from cleanliness, authorities said that public security is also part of the clearing operations.

"Walang gulo rito sa Quiapo wag silang matakot dahil hindi magkakagulo dito sa Quiapo. Baka mga vendor pa nga magrebelde 'pag ganyan ng ganyan, eh," Dela Cruz said.

According to the report, the clearing operation has just begun. It will be followed by operations to be conducted on the full stretch of the Black Nazarene procession route. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LBG, GMA News