MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday (18 November 2019) called on Manila street vendors not to fall victims to a certain “organizer” who is allegedly asking them huge amount of money in exchange for a permit for them to sell their wares or merchandize along Recto Avenue in Divisoria this city.

Moreno said the deal for vendors along Recto remains “non-negotiable” as vending on the said avenue, considered as main thoroughfare going to North Harbor and back, will greatly affect traffic flow.

The same is not allowed at Soler and Juan Luna streets for the same reasons Moreno said.

Meantime, street selling is allowed for vendors in designated areas of Divisoria particularly Tabora, Carmen Planas, MD Santos, Sto. Cristo and Ylaya streets.

It was learned from Moreno the said “organizer” is allegedly requesting from vendors advance minimum payment of P3,000 or depending on the area a vendor may have to apply.

And this coincided with the promise for them to eventually return to their previous stalls along Recto middle of November and until the end of the coming Holidays.

As it is, the local chief executive reiterated his call for the vendors not to

get hooked by the sweet talks of the organizer as they are all bound to fail as vending at Recto Avenue “is a big no, no” he said.

“Hindi kayo (vendors) matutulungan ng organisasyon na yan. Huwag kayo magpapaniwala sa mga hibang. Huwag kayong magpagamit, tanging ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila lang ang makatutulong sa inyo,” Moreno told the vendors.

Meanwhile, mayor Isko expressed alarm over intelligence reports activists engaged in vandalism with city walls as their canvass are allegedly on the prowl and may wreak havoc anytime on Manila’s beautification efforts.

At the same time, Moreno also warned the roving “activist artists” who use to paint walls with anti-government drawings and slogans saying vandalism in the city shall be dealt with accordingly.

“Don’t push me to the wall. Subukan niyo uli mag-vandal dito sa Maynila. Cases will be filed against them. Huwag tayo magbantaan, basta ako maggogobyerno lamang. Huwag niyo hamunin ang gobyerno,” the mayor said. (BENJIE CUARESMA/IAMIGO/CNS)