Moral Politics of Sidewalk Vending: The Struggle between the City Authorities and Sidewalk Vendors of the City of Manila

Abstract

This article used Kusaka’s moral politics framework in examining the struggle between the city authorities and the sidewalk vendors of the City of Manila. It explained the development of sidewalk vending from the perspectives of the authorities and the sidewalk vendors from the time of Mayor Gemeliano Lopez Jr. (1986–1992) to the time of Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada (2013–2019). It showed the moralization of the perceived problem of sidewalk vending in the city and the approach of the authorities in eradicating sidewalk vendors. This qualitative study is a product of interviews with city officials, employees, and the different types of sidewalk vendors. It revealed that authorities perceived the vendors as undisciplined and undesirable illegals, while the vendors see the authorities as corrupt and dishonest extortionists. This moral opposition remains a contributing factor to the unresolved problem of sidewalk vending in Manila. The approach of the authorities to the problem evaded the social injustices experienced by the vendors whose welfare is a mandated responsibility of local officials based on the Local Government Code of 1991. The article suggests the creation of a mechanism of engagement between the authorities and the vendors that will serve as an opportunity for sidewalk vendors’ participation in policymaking.