Mandaluyong vendors thank PDI, Abalos
The operations of a gang that swooped on the stalls of fish vendors in the Mandaluyong City Market and carted away their merchandise without issuing an official receipt have been stopped by City Hall.
“Wala na pong humahakot (There are no more raiders),” said Teresita Marcial Santos, a vendor, as she thanked the Inquirer for bringing their pitiful plight out in the open.
“Salamat po sa Inquirer at kay Mayor Benhur Abalos,” said Santos, who added other vendors in the clogged alley off Munting Palengke were similarly relieved and thankful.
Until last week, these vendors continued to lose their merchandise to the group identified with the Mayor’s Office.
The Inquirer came out with a report on the bold operations of the group which the victims described as “technical robbery.”
“It’s been solved,” said Jimmy Isidro, Mandaluyong City public information officer. “Mayor Abalos ordered a balanced, foolproof implementation of city ordinances.”
Isidro said stall boundaries would be strictly marked, and vendors have been told to ask for a certification or receipts if and when their wares are confiscated.
Details of these regulations will be posted around the market area, he added.
“OK na po ’yun maski kinunan din kami ng litrato na nagtitinda diyan sa gitna (Just fine, although we were first made to pose as illegal vendors),” Santos said.
One market regular who helps out in the local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Office said a picture of the vendors operating illegally had to be taken because the raiders could no longer account for all the lost merchandise.
After the last raid, Santos said they rushed to City Hall to pay the corresponding fines, although they were certain they had not violated any ordinance.
They said they were unable to recover their confiscated merchandise. “We were told our wares have been turned over to the DSWD Office,” Santos said.
The DSWD had denied taking over any confiscated merchandise.
