Firecracker vendors in Divisoria Market in Manila has appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to let them sell their merchandise until the end of the year.

Amelia Fuentes, one of the vendors, said they agree to comply with the President’s directive but they are requesting for additional time.

“Next year na lang kami wala. Pero ngayon payagan niya na kasi na po kami. Nakapangutang na kami, (We will be gone next year. But for now, I hope the President allows us to sell. We already took a loan)” she said.

Jigs Laperal, another firecracker vendor, said they are already prepared to shift livelihood. However, several of the vendors lamented the announcement should have been made a month earlier.

The president on Monday (December 21) announced an agreement with Metro Manila mayors on banning the use and selling of firecrackers.

“Bakit ko payagan ang paputok maraming madisgrasya, maraming mamatay (Why would I allow firecrackers, there will be a lot of accidents and deaths)? Even it is just one child losing one finger, it’s bad enough. It should put government on notice,” he said. AAC (with reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.)

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday said it has arrested 20 individuals, including Chinese nationals, after they were allegedly caught selling produce in Divisoria without proper immigration visas or permits.

The BI said 17 Chinese nationals and three others who showed documents stating they are Filipinos were nabbed in a raid on Sto. Cristo Street in Divisoria, Manila on Monday afternoon.

The bureau said the operation stemmed from a complaint from local vendors in the area.

“We were initially targeting one individual but upon arriving at the scene, we saw 20 foreign nationals selling garlic, onions, and other produce,” said BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr.

“They were selling on the sidewalks, out in the open. They most likely do not have permits for their stores, nor are paying proper taxes,” he added.

Information from the immigration bureau said among those arrested were six females and 14 males.

The Chinese nationals were brought to the BI Detention Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig pending deportation proceedings. The remaining three Filipinos were released.

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has shut down Divisoria sidewalk stalls due to the amount of garbage found in the area during a surprise inspection on Monday (November 11).

Vendors will no longer be allowed to set up stalls along Ylaya Street in Divisoria.

Moreno also expressed his dismay over the negligence of the vendors in managing their waste.

“Hindi ba kayo nahihiya diyan o talagang baboy din kayo sa bahay? Kailangan ko pa kayo sorpresahin? Pinaghahanapbuhay ko na nga kayo, (Are you not ashamed or are you just as filthy in your own home? Do I still need to surprise you? I already allowed you to set up your livelihood here)” he said.

“Kung ganiyan lang din naman ang iiwan sa atin araw-araw, tigil na silang lahat, (If they will leave [these garbage] everyday, all [the vendors] should just stop)” he added.

The Manila mayor also directed all police stations in the area to monitor the streets of Divisoria to make sure no vendors will return especially in Ylaya street.—AAC (with reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.)