MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) on Sunday said that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has agreed to review a proposed joint memorandum circular (JMC) to come up with a win-win solution over the treatment of illegal or informal street vendors during clearing operations. PCUP Commissioner Reynaldo Galupo said that he and MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III met with MMDA’s Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Office head Francisco Martinez and Special Operations Group- Task Force for Road Clearing chief Gabriel Go, where he presented the planned JMC. Torre said the MMDA would review the proposed memorandum circular and provide comments or alternative recommendations. During the meeting, the MMDA officials said illegal vendors would often engage in “dangerous acts of vending” along busy roads and sidewalks and tend to return shortly after clearing operations. Galupo stressed that the issue requires a long-term solution, beginning at the barangay and local government unit level, and involving multi-agency collaboration. “Vendors must be given viable options and that clearing operations must remain humane,” said Galupo, a former newspaperman. He said that there should be no inhumane treatment of vendors and that confiscated goods should be returned after operations. Go clarified that confiscated items are returned in accordance with procedures. The proposed JMC: “Refined Social Safeguards and Protocols in the Conduct of Road Clearing Operations Concerning Informal and Street Vendors” was aimed at strengthening social safeguards during enforcement activities, Galupo told The Manila Times. Both agencies expressed their commitment to continued dialogue and collaboration to balance public order, safety, and the protection of vulnerable sectors affected by enforcement operations.