Divisoria street vendors to hold protest vs Manila clearing ops

MANILA, Philippines — Divisoria street vendors are poised to stage a protest against the new Manila City government, which recent clearing operations supposedly deprived them and their families of income.

The Divisoria Vendors’ Association (DVA) on Sunday said they will mass up at the Andres Bonifacio Shrine, which is just a stone’s throw away from Manila City Hall and also where the local government unit holds its flag ceremonies, on Monday, November 18.

“Thousands of vendors from Divisoria will conduct a protest action to express their dismay over the series of clearing operations conducted by the local government unit as early as June 13, displacing the mostly women and elderly vendors and cutting off their only source of income for the everyday needs of their families,” the group said.

According to DVA, they have requested a meeting with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno after the flag ceremony.

“The vendors also requested a dialogue with Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso after the Monday flag ceremony, hoping that they could have their livelihood back in time for the Christmas rush,” DVA said.

Moreno previously allowed vendors to sell along streets of Divisoria on the condition that their stalls would not obstruct pedestrians and motorists from passing through. He has also issued a stern warning that he would make the vendors’ Christmas sad if they would not adhere to the conditions.

READ: Street vendors back in Divi as Isko sets conditions

On November 11, vendors were removed from Ylaya Street after piles of garbage were discovered in the area during an early morning surprise visit by Moreno.

READ: LOOK: Manila gov’t shuts down Divisoria stalls amid pile of trash

READ: Vendors banned from Ylaya Street in Manila

Edited by KGA