Manila officials demolish food stalls along 'hepa lane'

Food stalls along the so-called "hepa lane" along R. Papa have been demolished in response to complaints of students allegedly contracting hepatitis from eating in these stalls.

"Parang ticking time bomb na po ito sa hepatitis," Manila Health Department District 4 health inspector Larry Villegas said in a report by GMA News' Jun Veneracion on "24 Oras."

"Doubtful yung source ng tubig, hindi natin alam kung saan kinuha yung karne, binili, kung ilang beses niluluto," Villegas added.

In a report on Thursday, vendors were seen crying as their stalls were dismantled.

Vendor Boyet Bendiro was supported by students who frequented his stall, which served as his only source of income and home of 25 years. But his food stall was not spared.

"Wala po akong matirhan, wala po akong pang-upa eh. Dati nangungupahan ako ng maliit na kwarto, hindi ko naman kaya. Magkano kinikita ko dito? P300 buong araw, utang pampuhunan," Bendiro said, who said he'll be forced to live on the sidewalk.

A student said, "Wala naman siyang iniistorbong ibang tao, sa totoo lang sobrang bait ni kuya, hindi niya deserve yung ganyan. Kahit nga walang-wala na siya, tinutulungan niya pa rin kami 'pag kailangan namin tulong niya." — BAP, GMA News