THE city government of Manila was criticized for its alleged lack of policy concerning the status of street vendors who are under constant fear of harassment amid the strict implementation of the city's 'No Parking, No Vending' policy.

Alex Lopez, the political rival of Mayor Maria Sheilah 'Honey' Lacuna-Pangan, said that street vending is an 'important occupation for the urban poor' and 'one of the most important avenues for poor women to support their families.'

'As a citizen of Manila and an economist, it is sad to witness the city government's lack of policies, programs and projects that will help the poor street vendors to better utilize the great potential income they can bring to our economy,' Lopez told The Manila Times in an interview over the weekend.

Last year, Lacuna-Pangan signed an executive order declaring 18 streets in the city where vendors and parking are prohibited.

Armed with the executive order, the city's Department of Public Services immediately launched clearing operations.

Many observers said street vendors, particularly those along Recto and Carriedo were forcibly removed.

Lopez lamented that the mayor wants to beautify the city 'without any reference to street vendors.'

'The emphasis of such a strategy is to make Manila a beautiful city, thus implicitly imposing harsh measures on street vendors,' he said. 'This is a reflection of the lack of policy to support street vendors — and the only policy that exists right now for the current elected officials is that street vending should stop.'

Instead of looking at street vending as a solution to unemployment, Lopez said it was viewed as a threat to orderliness.

'This shows the lack of policy directions regarding street vendors; no attempt has been made to change their illegal status,' he said.

Although street vending is considered as an important economic activity in urban areas, all laws and policies in the city prevent vending activities and punish vendors and hawkers working in public areas.

Lopez said the local government should be able to identify the links between street vending and urban development and planning and at the same time 'seek to explore ways in which street vending can be supported to facilitate the overall well-being of the urban population and economy.'

'The local government should look into the economy of street vending, examine how street vending is an important source of income for urban poor households,' he said.

The eldest child of former Manila mayor Gemiliano 'Mel' Lopez said government officials should examine the relationship between street vending and the use of urban space. Street vending can revitalize urban spaces and bring life to human activities.

'Increasing recognition of the role of the informal economy in developing countries has brought an acknowledgment of the role of street vending in terms of creating employment, and a critical subsistence income for the urban poor,' he said.

'Their roles in service provision — providing cheap food for the urban population and improving market access in residential areas — have also been recognized,' Lopez said.

'The challenge for policymakers now is to translate the recognition of street vendors as an integral part of urban life and integrate them meaningfully into urban planning,' he added.