Lawless Philippines: Barangay Officials Allow Dangerous Illegal Roadside Restaurant

The Philippines is full of entrepreneurs doing anything and everything they can to support their families. Some Filipinos set up kiosks selling snacks. Others sell fried chicken from mobile fried chicken stands. In this case someone set up a restaurant on the side of a busy street. 

I'm not sure how long this set up has been there but I don't remember seeing it the week before I took this picture. 

Now, of course all the usual things can be said such as it's in a dangerous location blocking auto and pedestrian traffic and it likely has no permit to operate but nobody cares. They have customers and probably no one who has driven by this spot has filed a complaint. Surely the PNP have passed by but they aren't ones to enforce the law unless pressed to do so. 

There are two ways to look at it. As Filipinos doing what they must to survive or as a nuisance that should be taken down. I consider it the latter. 

Believe it or not this dangerous and illegal set up is right next to the Barangay Hall. Of course I spoke with the barangay officials. One official was a former chairman and current kagawad while the other was the chairman. The kagawad informed me he knew the restaurant was located in a dangerous area blocking pedestrian and auto traffic but he allowed them to operate out of consideration for their livelihood. After all, they take it down at 4 in the afternoon. The kagawad also told me they asked permission from him specifically because he was a former chairman. We both spoke with the current chairman and he related the same sentiments, namely,  consideration must be made for these people to make a livelihood. 

In essence these two officials are knowingly and willingly creating a dangerous situation, breaking their oath of office, and shirking their duties and responsibilities to the public.

The barangay chairman's duties are as follows:

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/1991/10oct/19911010-RA-7160-CCA.pdf

1. (a)  Enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the Barangay;

13. (n)  Promote the general welfare of the Barangay; 

The duties of the barangay kagawads include:

1. (a)  Assist the Punong Barangay in the discharge of his duties and functions;

2. (b)  Act as peace officers in the maintenance of public order and safety

Presumably all the laws and ordinances of the Philippines are applicable within every Barangay and enforcing them would promote the general welfare. That would include needing a business and health permit to operate a restaurant and not blocking sidewalks and roads.

But who cares about the law and safety when we must take into consideration these people need to make a livelihood even if they are endangered while doing so? Such a wanton disregard for the law and the safety of the community because it benefits a few people reminds me of this image:

A full video of the illegal roadside restaurant can be seen here: