Manila Mayor Isko Moreno warned vendors at Fusion Alley in Sampaloc that the area could be closed if cleanliness and order are not maintained, following complaints regarding waste and disturbances in the community.
In a series of Facebook posts on July 30 and 31, Moreno said the city government immediately acted after receiving a complaint from a student regarding conditions in the area. He said vendors were called for a meeting and reminded to keep their surroundings clean and avoid excessive noise that could affect nearby residents.
“Matapos nating marinig ang reklamo ng isang estudyante, agad po nating ipinatawag ang mga manininda sa Fusion Alley sa Sampaloc. Hindi po natin binabalewala ang reklamo ng iilan,” Moreno said.
The mayor said he had instructed the Department of Engineering and Public Services (DEPS) to conduct garbage collection in the area, while emphasizing that vendors must also take responsibility in maintaining cleanliness.
On Friday morning, Moreno said garbage from Fusion Alley had already been collected as early as 1:30 a.m., followed by cleaning operations involving soap and scrubbing of the road to ensure the area was ready by morning.
“1:30 AM pa lang, nahakot na ang mga basura sa Fusion Alley. Sinabon at ineskoba na rin ang kalsada para pagsapit ng umaga, malinis na ang lugar. Ganito po ang ginagawa natin araw-araw,” he said.
Later that day, the city’s DEPS Team conducted a flushing operation using a power washer and tanker to further clean the area.
“Gamit ang power washer at tanker, nagsagawa po ng flushing operation ang ating DEPS Team sa Fusion Alley. Dahil high-pressure ang ginamit, siguradong natanggal ang mga dumi at naibalik ang kalinisan ng kalsada,” Moreno said.
Moreno stressed that the city government seeks to balance the livelihood of vendors with the need to maintain public order and sanitation.
“Ang hinahanap natin ay balanse—may pagkakataong kumita ang ating mga manininda, ngunit may kapalit na responsibilidad na panatilihing malinis at maayos ang kanilang paligid,” he added.
The Manila mayor reiterated his warning that vendors must comply with cleanliness standards.
“At malinaw din ang aking babala: kapag nakita kong dugyot at makalat, hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na ipasara ito. Kabuhayan, oo. Pero dapat may kaayusan, kalinisan, at disiplina,” Moreno said.
