President Aquino wants clogged drainage systems by “street-vendors” probed

President Aquino wants to get to the bottom of the recent massive flooding in Metro Manila.

The President has ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP to look into allegations that vandals deliberately clog Metro Manila's drainage systems to make money out of stranded commuters and motorists.

It is common in Metro Manila during rainy seasons that the "tulak boys" and their linked street vendors will provide long bench and chairs as bridges for stranded commuters to cross the streets with a service charge of not less than ₱5.00 peso per person.

Caught on the act

One of the "team members" of the Rebuilding for the Better Philippines witnessed the act of actual clogging of the waterway passage to the drainage using plastics and mixed of garbage by the "street vendors" in Pedro Gil LRT Station.

Other street vendors were also asked if such activity which was witnessed by one of our team is common in Pedro Gil Station and some of them admitted that the boys make used to it before the rain will fall to make money out of stranded commuters.

"Wala namang magagawa ang mga pasaherong gustong tumawid pag mataas ang tubig kundi tumulay d'yan sa ginagawa nila, lalo na yung galing Robinson ay dito rin dadaan at tatawid kaya nakakatulong na rin yung pinagdugtong-dugtong na upuan para maka tawid sila" an old woman street vendor said.

Aquino also asked the justice department to find out how some establishments were able to secure titles for properties built along waterways.

He also wants a comprehensive report on Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson's revelation that some local officials postponed the relocation of informal settlers during the elections to get more votes.

On ANC, Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian admitted this is a political reality.

With report from RFTBP & ABS-CBN News