People’s market eyed in Parañaque

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Parañaque is eyeing to put up a people’s market in the city to accommodate the vendors displaced by the road clearing operations in Metro Manila.

In a radio interview yesterday, Mayor Edwin Olivarez said his proposal had been approved by the Metro Manila Council.

The people’s market will be placed on top of a water channel in front of the Baclaran Redemptorist Church, Olivarez said.

While it will be cemented, he said the water will still flow.

The mayor said they target the project to be operational within the year following a meeting with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Department of Public Works and Highways.

“This will be their permanent and legal spot,” he said.

Olivarez’s proposal came after he led the road clearing operations in Baclaran on Tuesday. But after a few days, there were reports that the illegal vendors returned to the streets again.

As an immediate solution, the mayor said the vendors would be allowed to sell their wares in establishments with vacant slots.

“The displaced vendors will be placed there next week,” he said.

There are around 2,000 street vendors in Parañaque, Olivarez said.

He warned barangay captains that they will be suspended from office if they allow illegal vendors to return to the streets.

On Thursday, Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar warned 20 barangay officials in the city of sanctions if they fail to clear the roads of illegal structures and other obstructions.