A group of friends met over beers to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to remove all obstructive illegal structures.
“In other countries, there are neither illegal vendors nor shanties rising; why is this very rampant in our country?” a doctor asked. “What is the politicians’ role in tolerating such illegal actions?” They proceeded to answer their own question by saying, “It seems it is a common practice in this country that illegal squatters are given more concern than those paying taxes.”
“These illegal squatters and vendors are the composite of voters favoring politicians, like mayors and councilors,” a sugar planter pointed out. “They are there doing their sidewalk vending—even road vending—on [the] silent condition that they vote for a certain politician.”
“This is not a serious problem in cities like Marikina City,” a retired police officer said. “Former Mayor Bayani Fernando was always strict [with] illegal vendors, [the] illegal throwing of garbage, illegal parking and more.”
The police officer’s sentiment echoed a column I penned last month entitled “Duterte, the country’s cleaner,” where I wrote: “Former Marikina City Mayor Bayani Fernando won three terms as mayor despite implementing strict rules—residents and establishments were not allowed to place garbage bins outside their premises, there are no sidewalk vendors, and residents were ordered to wait for garbage trucks to pass in order to dispose of trash.”
The police officer continued: “Fernando was said to make Bacolod City an example of being a clean city when he first sat as Marikina City mayor. He made Bacolod City his model but when he came back fifteen years ago, Fernando was surprised [to see] vendors selling fish and vegetables on the road of the city.”
I documented a similar situation in a column I authored last November, a multi-part series called “Simple traffic solutions in 78 hours.” I wrote: “Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando described Bacolod City roads as the ‘most perfect grid’ in the country. On a visit to the city 12 years ago, however, he expressed shock seeing fish vendors selling their wares along Luzuriaga Street, with various odors detected when driving by – he shook his head and drove away.”
A salesperson asked, “Who is to blame for the existence of illegal vendors?”
“Surely, there is no other accurate answer but the local government officials sitting in their swivel chairs because they are afraid to lose votes,” they added.
“Illegal squatters thrive because people from rural areas come to urban communities to seek a livelihood and local officials close their eyes to putting their areas in order,” the doctor noted. “[Additionally], stores and businesses are taxed and require business permits but illegal vendors seem exempted from this requirement—it is better to be an illegal vendor since local government officials do not care at all.”
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Local government officials, like mayors, are getting headaches because of the president’s order. Does Duterte have to make such an order to ensure cleanliness? Many believe mayors and other local officials never valued issues of illegal vendors and illegal settlers.
It should not be the job of the president to ensure such order but those who believe in him appreciate his initiative.
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This column greets a Happy Birthday to Ariston Minez, Jr., Nonong dela Cruz, Linus Jimenez, Nicole Locsin, Eddy Jimenez, and Charlotte Polana. Greetings as well to Danny Dangcalan, Bing Garaygay, Radjie Caram, Jr., Dyna Abello, Apollo Santos, Virgie Minez, Gen Sagayno, and Mimir Guanco/WDJ