MPD maintains order, cleanliness in Divisoria as more shoppers expected
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s only instruction to the Divisoria police is to maintain the enforcement of “zero vendors” on the sidewalks along Juan Luna and Recto in Divisoria in the City of Manila even as the Christmas season approaches.
This is what Manila Police District (MPD) Station 2 Dagupan Outpost Supervisor PSMS Gerardo “Jerry” Tubera often tells the vendors in the said area, which is also aligned with the order of Moreno and MPD Director PBGen Leo M. Francisco to maintain order, cleanliness and discipline among vendors and consumers in Divisoria.
Also, upon the directive of MPD Station 2 Commander P/Lt.Col. Magno Gallora, they can maintain the stretch of Juan Luna in Tondo, Manila which gives the police the right time, from 4 to 7 p.m., to park on the street for transportation while the sidewalks must always be clear for consumers.
According to Tubera, they are implementing “zero vendors” from Narra St. to Asuncion St. on Recto, where the vendors are only allowed to set up the “night market” which starts at 5:30 p.m. and lasts until 5 a.m. the next day.
After that, they will conduct a clearing and flashing operation with a fire hose to prevent any bad smell and dirt from staying on the streets. The vendors are also told to always clean their place and put their clutter in a sack to avoid blocking the canals especially during the rainy season.
The police also ensure that health protocols are followed especially physical distancing, including in the street lines. Additional steel barriers are put in place to separate the people walking on the road and vehicles. Using a microphone, they call out to people to adhered to the social distancing rule and to wear the face mask and shield properly.
Police also continue to monitor 25 CCTV cameras and eight trumpets for the “public address system” scattered along Divisoria to serve as eyes and mouths to watch or reprimand buyers, vendors or drivers and look out for perpetrators of crime such as snatching, “salisi” and holdup.
Tubera assured that they will continue to implement the steps they started in the renovation of Divisoria, even as the holiday season approaches when buyers from various parts of the Philippines will flock the area, in keeping with the instructions of Moreno. By FRANCIS NAGUIT & JON-JON REYES
