Divisoria street vendors protest against Manila government today

Divisoria street vendors will protest against the local Manila government on Monday, November 18.

Divisoria before and after clearing operations
Divisoria before and after clearing operations pioneered by Mayor Isko Moreno in June 2019. (Image from It’s More Fun With Juan)

According to the announcement of the Divisoria Vendors ’Association (DVA), they will gather at the Andres Bonifacio Shrine today, steps away from Manila City Hall.

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The protest aimed to express the Divisoria street vendors’ frustration over the ongoing clearing operations of the Manila local government that began on June 13.

Many have lost their source of daily income to support their families’ needs.

“Thousands of vendors from Divisoria will conduct a protest action to express their dismay over the series of clearing operations conducted by the local government unit as early as June 13, displacing the mostly women and elderly vendors and cutting off their only source of income for the everyday needs of their families,” said the DVA.

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Divisoria street vendors left piles of garbage
Divisoria street vendors left piles of garbage in Ylaya Street. (Image from filipiknowtimes)

According to the group, they also requested a meeting with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno after the flag ceremony.

The group will ask the mayor to return their livelihood, especially during the Christmas season.

“The vendors also requested a dialogue with Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso after the flag ceremony, hoping that they could have their livelihood back in time for the Christmas rush,” the group said.

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The mayor agreed for the vendors to return to the streets of Divisoria on the condition that their stores do not interfere with the public.

Just this Monday (Nov. 11), vendors were cleared on Ylaya Street after Moreno was met with heaps of rubbish during his inspection.