Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20081018-167146/MMDA-probed-on-sidewalk-clearing-actions
To me it is a clear violation of human rights. I always imagine myself as a sidewalk vendor and I am in this kind of situation. I always imagine how they would feel if MMDA people will take my vendors' wares and other property without due process. This people work hard in order to just simple survive, just to be able to provide food for their families for another day, perhaps you can imagine how they would feel if the MMDA took their merchandise. It was also stated in this news that they destroy the confiscated goods and wares . What is the for? Discipline? I really don't think that would be necessary.
I know that they make the streets look dirty. Having sidewalk vendors make cities look less civilized but they still have rights and they may be illegal but it already became a part of the Philippines. They can be pretty useful too. Especially if you want to buy cigarettes or candies and you only have coins. So i am glad about this move on questioning the process of how MMDA deals with these vendors and I hope we get good resolutions on this.
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In my personal opinion, I don't really think that sidewalk vendor is good, especially when I see the disorder of sidewalk vendor. There is a law in this country and we must follow that since we are living in the democratic country like Philippines. Law exists for the sake of mass and if there is someone who does not follow it, it will be the other who take all the consequences which mostly not good. We have to get rid of something that are not really good though we are already got used to it. It seems to be helpful, though, might bring us disadvantages lastly.
I agree with you, whenever i watch the news and see the MMDA destroying the sidewalk vendor's cart/stand and taking away all their merchandise, I feel bad for them. I mean they're not doing anything wrong, they are just like everyone of us wanting to earn money to meet their family's needs. It is better for them to be selling in the streets than to be doing crimes like snatching or holduping people. If the MMDA would continue to take the only source of income of the sidewalk vendors they might be forced to do crimes and other illegal stuff. And besides its the government's fault for not providing enough jobs for all its citizens.
Maybe a solution would be for the MMDA to provide a spot for the vendors to sell stuff so that they would not be the cause of traffic.
It is sad to hear that MMDA are banning sidewalk vendors. It is true that sidewalk vendors make our streets look dirty and they sometimes even cause hassles. If the government would really want to help, I think the solution is not to "shooo" them away, but to provide a place for them where they would also have the same income and where there would also be consumers. Since what they are doing is not violating any of the human rights or whatever. Moreover, this may seem illegal, but think about this, they only want a living for their families. In a sense, it is also good for them and for us, at least they are not being criminals or what and they are not adding to the crime rate in our country; instead of stealing, they think of legal ways to earn a little profit to use for their everyday. If we think about it, that little profit they earn each day may not even satisfy their empty stomach. But what can we do? It is sad also to think that the government seems not to be doing anything to employ them, and worse the government even want them to stop earning. What can happen then? Our economy will only worsen...
Most of us may think that sidewalk vendors should be tolerated because of the same old excuse that they're just trying to support their families. If they will be tolerated, when will this country have any discipline?
Living in Marikina for more than 20 years now, I grew up seeing Marikina develop into a model city. When I as in grade school I would see billboards of Bayani Fernando AKA BF tainted with mud. This just shows how mad the people of Marikina to BF then. He would do rounds in the Market with his escorts clearing up the sidewalks. All private properties should have a setback of some meters so that they can construct sidewalks for people to walk at. They would literally destroy your property just for them to get the space for their sidewalks. These are just some of the rules implemented in Marikina.
And as you may see or have heard Marikina is one of the most disciplined city in the Philippines also earning worldwide recognition for one of the cleanest city. These recognitions proved that we can earn much more when were disciplined. Marikina can also boast of its eco-friendly projects, one of it is the bicycle lanes covering more than i think 50kms of road in the city.
This discipline is what Bf is trying to do with the whole Metro Manila through MMDA. If people would just cooperate then this place will be better.
We can compare sidewalk vendors to rude jeepney drivers who would do anything such as reckless driving and illegal terminal just to earn money. If you ask them why they're doing this foolishness? "Naghahanap buhay lang po"
I think that MMDA should not right away do these kinds of things that may violate a person's right. If I was the vendor, I would probably feel bad since all I had worked for was just nothing. Placed into the trash. The MMDA people should be respectful enough to give these people some time to pack up their belongings or their merchandise. I think they can understand what is to be done or not. I don't think that the vendors would fight back. Besides, they are not doing anythng wrong to the passers by. they are just there to sell some stuffs. they are somewhat useful to those who pass by the streets since they sell some things which others need or want. so i think that vendors shouldn't be treated badly or differently...
I think the MMDA has the right to remove sidewalk vendors from our already practically non-existant sidewalks. The government has the right of way in this one. The MMDA's purpose is clear. They are trying to make a CLEAN, ORDERLY, and WALKABLE metropolis so that Manila may be a "HEALTHY" city. We can see that when they fix the sidewalks, put proper bus stops, and railings along the roads.
It would be a different story if they just cleared them out and didn't do anything to physically fix the sidewalks. The vendors in most cases are indeed the cause of predestrians spilling over into the roads which blocks traffic. Add to that the buses and jeeps all scrambling to pick up their passengers.
Perhaps, if sidewalk vendors were allowed and provided by the government to positioned themselves in more spacious, and better yet, proper stalls then there would be no problem.
The MMDA is doing their job cleaning up and putting order to Manila. Let's let them do it.
I remember what my OBLICON prof told the class. She said that it was rubbish for them to say “nilabag nila ang karapatan ko” since the sidewalk vendors are the ones who first violated the rights of the pedestrians for blocking the sidewalk. She said look at who violated the law first before judging who is right and wrong. And I agree with my professor.
But how the MMDA does their raids, the goods shouldn’t be ruined but instead it should be donated to the poor at least at that way the wasted goods would be used for something. And I think in order to lessen problems like these, the government should provide a lot without rental fees for these sidewalk vendors. At least the sidewalk vendors wouldn’t block the side walks that are meant for walking and they could still sell their goods without paying for rent that they cannot afford in the first place.
I think that the MMDA is doing the right thing by confiscating and destroying the sidewalk' vendors products. First of all sidewalk vendors doesn't have permits to sell stuff, so isn't that unfair to those vendors who pays their dues? Second, these sidewalk vendors blocks the streets where pedestrians walk, or worse they occupy lanes that are for cars. So this actually causes traffics and accidents. Because of this I do think that it is just right for them to confiscate their products.
I do think that by destroying those goods the MMDA is giving those sidewalk vendors are lesson. Cause if they only confiscate it and then gives them back to the sidewalk vendors after some time, or asks the sidewalk vendors for penelty charges, then these sidewalk vendors wouldn't learn a lesson, and they would just repeat everything and sell stuff in the streets again. And if the MMDA just keep the confiscated item, then where would they keep it. So for me it is just right for them to destroy it.
Sidewalk vendors for me represents how "undisciplined" filipinos are. One solution for this problem is for the government to give spaces for vendors, but the vendors should also give back by paying taxes or dues.
I have to say that Bayani Fernando has the best interests when it comes to order and discipline. I mean, when we really think about it, it is for the vendors' own good. They can get killed selling on the streets you know, and we can all agree that they don't stay at the side walks to sell. BUT i think it is not morally correct to confiscate their goods and destroy it. I mean, it's theirs. The money they used to buy those was from their own blood and sweat. Why can't the MMDA destroy the corrupt instead huh?
Every single thing that the MMDA did was just right, because we Filipinos are hard headed without that kind of treatment no one will be scared of the law. If they know that it is illegal they should stop doing it. Besides sidewalk vendors do really cause problems in the community. For example, traffic, food poison, garbage ,crimes, and pollutions. so i strongly agree on what the MMDA did on them.
i strongly disagree that MMDA clearing sidewalk because sidewalk vendors make the streets look dirty. It is hilarious!:)) I hope you would not be offended:). I think the primary reason why MMDA is clearing the sidewalk because sidewalk vendors are causing so much troubles to the public due to their obviously lack of discipline. I'm sure everyone of us experienced stuck in a traffic because of them. I highly commend the operation of the MMDA since i think it's time to instill discipline to every filipino. There is absolutely nothing wrong is doing small business in the streets, but these vendors should follow rules and regulations! The excuse like "oh, d naman kami nagnanakaw, nagtratrabaho naman kami ng marangal" is not enough to justify the hassle they cause to the public! MMDA is just enforcing the power granted to them to ensure order in the street.
It's a sad thing that other people have to deal with these kind of problems in their life. Having to be thrown away because what you want is to support your loved ones. I think that MMDA is really harsh in doing what they have to do to make the Philippines look clean. I'm just really happy that at the very least these vendors know how to strive hard and right to eat not like other people they kill or steal other people's property and treat it like their own.
Honestly, having sidewalk vendors are disturbing. They make streets so crowded and populated. Sometimes, they are the reason why accidents happen because people pass through the road itself because the vendors already occupied the space, so the people pass in the dangerous spot. However, getting rid of them should properly be done. Due process should be done and not immediately confiscating there stuff; there must be a warning. We cannot blame the MMDA to do that because some of the vendors are really hard headed. I recommend that the MMDA or the government itself give them spots or proper locations to sell their product.
We should stop blaming the MMDA or the vendors. These two have both equal faults on this matter. I know that it is impolite for the MMDA to just get their source of income, but even the vendors violated some rules.
I always see vendors beside Unilab in San Miguel Avenue, and what makes it ironic is that these vendors are staying just below a sign board which says: "No vendors allowed". I dont know whether to laugh or be sad with this.
For the MMDA: Banning vendors along sidewalks can be done without violence and harm. They dont have to use violence in doing this. Instead, maybe they can provide them with their own place to conduct their little business.
I really feel bad whenever I hear about this news; I think that it is really unfair for the vendors to be treated that way; their rights are being completely dishonored. However, I also don’t contest with what the MMDA personnel are doing, it is just that it should be done in a proper manner, with duly respect, that is. Some vendors don’t really have the enough knowledge about the news of prohibiting them to sell at certain side streets; thus, comprehensive information about it should be disseminated first before doing this kind of operation. On the other hand, I believe that these vendors deserve some place wherein they could sell so that this would not happen again. If we want progress in our city, we should have the true kind of justice system and broad practice of fairness.
My opinion on the issue is that both the vendors and the MMDA have no intentions of doing something bad or illegal. Its just that the vendors only wanted to earn for a living and provide for their families, while the MMDA is just doing their jobs of enforcing the law. If you'll come to think of it, both of them have their own reasons for doing such.
Well, I guess the government should just have to solution the problems regarding vendors. Like provide a place where they can earn a living or generate more jobs to decrease the unemployment rate. Because confiscating and destroying vendor's things wouldn't help solve the problem.
I think what the MMDA did was wrong. They made the less fortunate vendors even more less fortunate. What the MMDA should have done is to find a place wherein they could tranfer these vendors first before asking them to live. I think this is an abuse of power by the MMDA; they should not have done this inhumane act.
I agree that indeed side walk vendors are really eye sores and it is the job of the MMDA to make Metro Manila clean looking. But i also agree that they should clear that side walks in a very civilized manner. I think that the MMDA is wrong whenever they treat the vendors pieces of craps. I think they should respect the vendors even though they are violating rules. They should remember that these vendors are only lowly people that are trying to earn their living in a clean way.
If the MMDA is successful on this operation, then sidewalk vendors would just keep coming back. We can't blame them because they are just doing their job in order to feed something for their families. But they also should know that it can cause danger for the pedestrians.
If you get rid of these sidewalk vendors, after 5-10 days they'll be return again for sure. Thus, the MMDA should do their best to clear out these sidewalk vendors, so that they won't endanger the lives of the pedestrians.
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