Baclaran now free of illegal vendors

MANILA – Illegal vendors have voluntary vacated the streets of Baclaran in Parañaque City, as the local government looks for a permanent solution to the traffic and peace problem in the busy area. As early as 5 a.m., the service road of Roxas Boulevard, Redemptorist Avenue, Quirino Avenue, a portion of Taft Avenue and even the front of Redemptorist Church were already free of illegal vendors. Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said the city government held a dialogue with the vendors yesterday, explaining why some 3,200 vendors need to vacate the area. Olivarez said special permits issued to the vendors last November expired today. The mayor said the city is now looking for a place where the vendors can transfer. "Ito ang pinipilit natin na ma-maintain, nakatutok kami dito. We'll make it a point na maging maayos na ito. Walang resistance ang mga vendors. Ongoing ang negotiations sa harapan ng Redemptorist Road, iyung reclaimed area. Iyun ang ating ultimate solution dito - flea market," Olivarez told dzMM. "For how many years, ito ang problema dito. Kaya kailangan makapag-isip tayo ng ultimate at pangmatagalang solusyon."– report from Dennis Datu, dzMM