Friday, September 05, 2008
THE NOW PASSABLE SIDEWALKS OF QUIAPO
A little more than a year ago, I featured a photo essay on these virtually unpassable sidewalks of Quiapo. Well, lo and behold! Much to my great surprise, the vendors that used to hog the major portion of these sidewalks along Quezon Boulevard are gone.
I couldn't believe it. It is no longer a hassle to walk to and from Quiapo Church. Enough said.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor!
Mayor Lim and Manila's Illegal Vendors
Sidewalk Vendor Clean-Up Operations
Barangay Meeting
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Thank you!
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Labels: life in Manila, Street vendors
posted by Señor Enrique at 5:31 AM
20 Comments:
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Photo Cache said... Very good news indeed. It may have been the first time that these sidewalks are to be used for that purpose.
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Panaderos said...
A man of action and results Mayor Lim truly is. That's all people are asking for from their public servants. He may not achieve success in everything but he at least shows that he tries.
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nutart said...
amazing!!! My hats off to Mayor Lim for this!
So what about the crowded spaghetti electric wires...;-)-
escape said...
Ok ito sa ngayon pero bumabalik din sila. yon yung napapansin ko.
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said... All we can hope for is they don't come back but you and I know these vendors are like rats :)
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said...
Ang laki ng pagkakaiba! Sana hindi na bumalik sa dati. Is that a dream impossible? LOL.
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Señor Enrique said...
I had to wait a couple of days and go back just to make sure that the vendors were no longer there, Photo Cache. Good news, indeed!
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Señor Enrique said...
Considering that many barangay and police officials are allegedly involved in making substantial money from these vendors, Panaderos, -- by charging them daily rental fees or protection money -- I really thought that it was impossible to clear these sidewalks of illegal vendors.
Kudos to Mayor Lim indeeed for making good on his promise!-
Señor Enrique said...
Ah, the hanging spaghetti electric wires, Bernadette, ought to be moved underground, and there's much digging in and around the city all right but they're for flood control projects.
This may take a couple of more years.-
Señor Enrique said...
Ayayay! Ayun na nga ang problema, donG. Kasi mga pulis din namang mga nangungutong ang nagpapabalik sa kanila, eh.
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Señor Enrique said...
And the cats that are supposed to keep them away, BW, are the ones who want them to come back because of the big money they make from these illegal vendors. A vendor pays off the cops like 300 pesos a day for the spot on the sidewalk; multiply that by at least a couple of hundred. Not bad extra income, right?
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Señor Enrique said...
I guess, if you wished for anything hard enough, bertN, it'll bound to manifest ... hehehe.
Oo nga, huwag nga lang magbalikan, pero walang nakakasiguro sa mga bagay na ito. Crooked barangay and police officials supposedly make a lot of money from these vendors.-
said...
The photos look scary place. Amazingly deteriorated from the Manila that I know.
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Señor Enrique said...
When was that, Anonymous, right after the war? Hehehe.
Here, check this out:
http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/SEAiT/data/images/nara/large/ph00812l.jpg
I'm sure you'll love it!-
FilMasons NSW said...
This is definitely the right step towards making Metro Manila pedestrian friendly. I am sure everyone will benefit financially if we can bring back that "Old Manila" charm. I guess that is why people are more attracted to the Mall due to these crowded and pedestrian unfriendly sidewalks.
Excellent post and pictures.-
Señor Enrique said...
I've got to admit, Mario, when Mayor Lim reopened Rizal Avenue to vehicular traffic, many stores have reopned along the avenue, attracting a growing number of bargain hunters.
You're right! Everyone is bound to benefit from constantly improving Manila, especially its sidewalks.-
IndioBravo said...
Your photo evokes the aura of true Manila,Senor.Everyday life in the old and tired city,yet full of life and character.It does help to see sidewalks too.Shows sidewalks need not be flamboyant,clean and vendor free is enough.
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Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, IndioBravo.
I try to share the spirit and life that energizes the city with my photographs, even with the most mundane scenes.
By the way there is this photographer who takes pictures of even the most ordinary found objects in the streets of Thailand. I will have to search for his site again and feature it. You might find it interesting.-
said...
sadly, eric, i think they'll be back sooner than we think ;-(
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Señor Enrique said...
I'm afraid you're right, Caryn. Guess, all we can do is enjoy it til it last :)
