Divisoria, the shopping haven of the budget-conscious in Manila, is unrecognizable without the usual horde of vendors clogging its roads. The photo on the left was taken a few days before Christmas in 2018. The one on the right was taken on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. (Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday welcomed the clearing of illegal vendors in some of Manila’s most impassable streets, noting that it will help spur more “economic activities” from the capital city’s tourist destinations.
Newly-installed Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has ordered the clearing of illegal vendors in the sidewalks of Recto, Quiapo, Binondo, and Divisoria almost immediately after he took his oath of office last June 30.
READ: Busy Manila roads still vendor-free
For DOT Assistant Secretary Roberto Alabado III, Manila streets’ new look is a welcome development for tourism since the city is among the premier local tourist spots in the country.
“The efforts of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is very much appreciated in making the areas more accessible to tourists because we are aiming to provide our tourists a more diverse tourist offering here in Manila,” Alabado said in a Palace briefing.
But Alabado assured the DOT, the local government of Manila, and other concerned agencies will meet to discuss the relocation of displaced vendors.
“The more tourists that we can provide access to Divisoria, to Binondo and Intramuros, the more economic activities that can be spurred from those local destinations,” Alabado said.
“We will be having our coordination meetings with the office of the Mayor of Manila and we will be updating you on this in the future,” he added. /kga