The UP administration has ordered the demolition of the UP Wet and Dry Market in Philcoa as part of the Circumferential Road 5 widening project, amid claims by around 150 market vendors and workers that the order is illegal.

In a notice of eviction dated January 16, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Cynthia Grace Gregorio asked the vendors to voluntarily vacate their stalls within three days.

Edgardo Mañoza, president of the Pinag-Isang Manininda ng Philcoa Multi-Purpose Cooperative, said that the vendors refused to accept the letter, distributed only on January 19, for fear that such could mean the vendors’ approval.

Heidi Mañoza, the cooperative’s coordinator, said that the administration plans to tear down the whole market, instead of the Metro Manila Development Authority’s earlier plans to demolish only the stalls occupying the 12-meter range or on the front side of the market.

No consulation, relocation, court order
“Dapat itigil ang demolisyon at pagpapaalis sa amin dahil walang konsultasyon,” said Mañoza. She added that the demolition is illegal, as the administration failed to show a relocation plan for the affected workers.

University Student Council Shahana Abdulwahid also contended that the lack of court order for the demolition renders it unjustified. Abdulwahid also questioned the administration’s intention for demolishing the market, but not the establishments in the vicinity such as the Petron oil station and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

In June last year, the MMDA conducted a survey and demanded the vendors to vacate their stalls for the road widening.

The cooperative submitted in October last year a proposal to UP to use the vacant lot at the back of the market as a relocation area for the affected vendors, which Gregorio subsequently denied.

In a letter to Gregorio dated January 21, the cooperative also asked for a dialogue to press the administration for explanations regarding their eviction and the project.

In an interview with Collegian, Gregorio, however, admitted that the administration would not pursue any dialogue with the vendors as there is no contract stating that the latter are “regular tenants” of UP. She said that the demolition would push through despite minor delays.

Gregorio added that the administration will neither provide relocation for the vendors nor a secure court order, citing the status of the vendors as non-UP tenants.

Due to low revenue
Heidi Mañoza, meanwhile, said that the administration approved the demolition as it is not earning enough from stall rents. Only 25 vendors are presently paying P20 per day for their stalls.

In 1994, the UP administration and the cooperative entered into a five-year contract. When the contract lapsed, the administration refused to renew the contract and stopped from collecting rents for two years.

Mañoza feared that the planned demolition will lead to the intrusion of business entities, after the Quezon City government envisioned the UP Science & Technology Park as part of its Central Business District plan.

“Ayon sa mga nakuha naming impormasyon noon, sasaklawin ng Ayala Techno Park ang buong Brgy. Old Capitol Site,” said former student regent Ken Ramos.# Philippine Collegian

<< back to home