Tuesday, January 08, 2008 Metro dev't agency to clear Baclaran of sidewalk vendors
SPURRED by last week fire at a shopping mall the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to clear the Baclaran area particularly near the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Taft station of illegal sidewalk vendors and other obstruction after getting the go signal from the Pasay City Local Government on Monday.
MMDA Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG) Chief Roberto Esquivel said they would conduct the operations on Friday morning along the stretch of Taft Avenue and Barangay Sto. Niño, where the Galleria Baclaran Shopping Mall and the LRT-Taft station are located.
"It will be an all-out operation to clear the area of illegal sidewalk vendors and other traffic obstruction," said Esquivel adding that 1,000 MMDA personnel along with their heavy equipment will be utilize on Friday's operation.
He likewise downplayed fear of violence erupting saying MMDA personnel are trained to deal with such situation.
Baclaran has been a scene of violent confrontation between the MMDA and sidewalk vendors in the past. In 2004, an agency personnel was stabbed, while last year another was shot by unidentified gunmen.
Unidentified suspects also razed an MMDA mobile office in 2005.
On Monday, Esquivel met with Trinidad and LRT administrator Rey Robles to discuss the issue, which gained added prominence after last week's massive fire that razed the shopping mall and P90 million worth of goods.
The MMDA said the clearing operation should have been conducted Monday but the Local Government asked for extension. The vendors reportedly asked the Local Government for permission until March this year, but the MMDA refused to budge.
Esquivel said LRT administrator Mel Robles has formally seek the agency's assistance in ridding the area near the LRT station of obstruction fearing a repeat of the chaos that engulfed the area and the response of firefighters during last week's massive fire.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said a similar incident could cause enormous destruction especially if an LRT train would be trapped, as well as massive traffic jam in the metropolis.
At the height of the conflagration, the LRT suspended its operation from Vito Cruz station up to Baclaran while passengers were temporarily diverted.
Robles said the fire have cost them at least P1.5 million in lost income due to the closure of Baclaran, Edsa, Libertad and Vito Cruz stations.
He also said the fire also damaged about P80,000 worth of LRT equipment and glass panels at Baclaran station.
Esquivel said about 178 establishments will be affected by the operation. (AH/Sunnex)
