SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
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BF: Metro Manila needs more than a Hitler for its sidewalk clearing operations
Then Marikina mayor and now Metro Manila Development Authority chief Bayani Fernando (a.k.a. "BF" to his former constituents) stresses that it takes more than a "Hitler" to rid the metro of stubborn sidewalk vendors.
The MMDA chief was reacting to the perennial problem on illegal sidewalk stalls especially during the Christmas season. Mr. Fernando's sidewalk clearing operations have been branded by sidewalk vendors and urban poor groups as "anti-poor" and "Hitler-like" tactics. Mr. Fernando declared a moratorium on sidewalk clearing operations during the Christmas season.
His perception of the problem shows the depth of understanding of sidewalk vending and of informal sector economy in general. His take on this issue: he "...expects sidewalk vendors to keep on returning until they finally get tired and transfer to markets" (9 December 2002 INQ7.net). With this mindset, Metro Manila vendors have sufficient reasons to be worried. They will transfer to markets (from informal to formal sector of the economy) only if market-selling payoffs (cost minus benefits) outweigh the payoffs of sidewalk vending. Terrorizing vendors is not the solution. Engaging them in better income-generating activities (including easing up procedural and financial requirements for market stall-based vending) and community organization are better options.
Mr. Fernando did a commendable job in Marikina. But Metro Manila is a totally different territory. Applying his well-known governance style to the whole Metro Manila may not yield the same positive outcome. He needs to look at sidewalk vending from a different perspective - payoffs to vendors. Maybe Mr. Fernando needs to constantly remind himself that he is no longer in Marikina.
posted by Allan at 12:54 PM (GMT+8)
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