Atienza: We will clear the sidewalks

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has virtually declared "all-out war" against all illegally constructed structures on the sidewalks of the city.

"We will not stop until we have cleared the sidewalks of illegal structures," said Atienza.

Atienza has reiterated his request to sidewalk vendors to voluntarily dismantle their stalls and relocate to the sidestreets.

According to the mayor, the city government will allow vending in sidestreets under the organized vending program handled by the Manila Hawkers Management Committee under Adil Khan.

"If they cooperate and work with the city government, we will even make available a loan facility for them. Its time to reclaim our sidewalks. All illegal structures will be dismantled," said Atienza.

Atienza said that the clearing-up drive will not only target vendors’ stalls but also food stands, motor shops, junk shops, residential extensions, garages and even barangay halls.

Earlier this week, Atienza ordered elements of the Western Police District, Task Force Kaayusan and Task Force Obstruction to start clearing up the length of Recto Avenue in the city’s university belt of all illegally built structures on the sidewalks.

"I expect all agencies, particularly the police force, to produce immediate results because I will be closely monitoring their performance to determine if they are really complying with my directives. No excuse is acceptable for failure to do their job because I know that the tasks I have given them can be done," Atienza said. – Mike Frialde