Defiant vendors strike back

Some 2,000 street vendors from all over Metro Manila are set to put up a giant tiangge in Mendiola, Manila today in defiance of a clearing campaign launched by Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando.

"We are selling everything from fruits to clothes there," said Pedring Fadrigon, a Quezon City street vendor and president of the Metro Manila Vendors Association (MMVA). "We want to assert our human rights to live and earn a livelihood with dignity."

The protest action, organized by MMVA and the December 10 Committee and spearheaded by groups under the coalition Gathering for Peace and other social formations, is the vendors’ way of commemorating International Human Rights Day.

Fadrigon said despite an assurance from President Arroyo during a dialogue last week that she would confer with Metro Manila mayors to find an acceptable solution to their problems, the MMDA has been carrying out clearing operations left and right.

"We want to work with the mayors and find a mutually acceptable solution," Fadrigon said. "We don’t want to be obstructionists. We want our rights as human beings to be respected."

Fernando has declared war against street vending, which he said is the main cause of traffic jams because they peddle wares where they should not.

MMVA leaders, however, said they have no objection to the MMDA’s objective of clearing the sidewalks and streets of the metropolis of illegal structures. All they want is that they be given alternative vending sites.

The vendors will march today from a rendezvous in front of the Far Eastern University to the historic Chino Roces Bridge at 8 a.m. University of the Philippines parish priest, Fr. Robert Reyes, will lead the vendors’ march. – Romel Bagares