Members of the Samahan ng mga Vendor sa QC (Association of QC Vendors) protested at the Quezon City Hall on May 18 to denounce the ongoing arrests, confiscations and stoppages of their livelihood. Defend Jobs Philippines joined the protest.

The local government issued a memorandum in January from the Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD) ordering barangays not to grant clearances or permits to vendors in various key areas of the city. The memorandum came with the threat of administrative cases against barangays that do not comply.

The vendors’ group said the Quezon City local government is increasingly denying the urban poor their livelihoods amid the crisis in food, oil, fare and electricity prices. This contradicts the city’s own program of supporting and legalizing small-scale vending.

“Instead of helping us small earners during extreme hardship, they tighten restrictions, arrest and intimidate vendors while we struggle to meet our families’ daily needs,” the group said.

Vendors now face additional burdens of fines and threats to confiscate their goods. Some vendors are forced to borrow to pay fines that reach thousands of pesos. Others no longer know how to recover and struggle to earn enough for food, the group said.

“Is this what ‘you are part of development’ means, Mayor Joy Belmonte? They treat us like criminals in our own city. With no jobs, low wages and expensive prices, where do you expect the poor to go?” the group asked.

The Samahan ng mga Vendor sa QC calls for a dialogue with the local government. They call to legalize and approve pending applications for vending permits and barangay clearances; stop arrests, harassment and threats against vendors; abolish or refund inhumane fines; protect small vendors and recognize their right to a dignified and decent livelihood.