The vendors on the footbridge and walkway of MRT-3 Taft Avenue are paying up to ₱90,000 in rent per month, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Yesterday, the agency ordered the removal of the vendors after a surprise inspection by Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.
The walkway is connected to a mall going to the LRT-1 EDSA Station. According to Dizon, he will summon the mall owner to find out if there was a previous agreement with the government. He also added that he will ask the Philippine Coast Guard to deploy armed personnel to prevent the vendors from returning.
According to the secretary, he understands the situation of the vendors but they are not allowed to sell on public and government property such as the footbridge. “I understand them and I feel sorry for them because they need to make a profit, but they cannot sell here,” said Dizon.
A few vendors admitted that they knew they were not allowed there but were asking for a little more time. “We know it is not allowed, but we are asking for a little more time so we can eat,” said Sultan Nagapatamo, one of the vendors.
The inspection was conducted with Gabriel Go from the MMDA Special Operations Group Strike Force after Dizon received an open letter from the former state auditor who shared his experience with the train.
