THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday started the implementation of its vending scheme in Baclaran, Parañaque City.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that the new vending scheme would ensure the orderly flow of people, particularly churchgoers and vehicles on the roads surrounding the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

The agency’s move is in line with its efforts to ease the traffic gridlock this Christmas Season. The scheme will end on January 16.

Under MMDA’s vending scheme, two enclosed areas along the church service road have been set aside to accommodate at least 350 vending stalls.

MMDA General Manager Corazon Jimenez said that vendors will also be regulated by the agency with identification cards to be issued to legitimate vendors and vending outside the two designated areas will not be allowed.

“May kasunduan ang [The] MMDA at mga [and] vendor na walang magtitinda sa harap ng simbahan [that vending will not be permitted in front of the Baclaran church],” she said in a radio interview.

She said that the agency has been receiving complaints from the motorists and churchgoers because of the heavy traffic around the Baclaran Church because of the street vendors who set-up nightly stalls along the Redemptorist Road.