Photo courtesy of Fusion Alley Food Park - Sampaloc Manila

The strip was established to consolidate street vendors who were previously scattered across sidewalks, streets, and corners around the university area.

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said the project transformed informal vending into a controlled economic zone, generating significant income for small entrepreneurs.

“If you really don’t want it, just write to me; I can close it tomorrow. But I have to be honest, it created so many millionaires in the City of Manila,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila on July 29.

He cited reports that some vendors, particularly beverage stalls, earn up to P50,000 a day, with others making tens of thousands nightly due to heavy foot traffic.

To manage safety, the city enforces scheduled road closures in the area, preventing vehicles from passing and allowing students to walk freely during peak hours.

But nearly a year into operations, friction has surfaced.

Students and residents from nearby dormitories, including Star Garden Dormitory, reported persistent issues such as loud crowds late into the night, limited quiet hours, and garbage left behind after operations.

A student journalist raised these concerns directly to Domagoso during the forum, citing firsthand observations and feedback from dorm residents affected by the nightly activity.

The mayor pushed back on claims of poor sanitation.

Vendors clean up Fusion Alley along I. Delos Reyes Street after operations, as the city enforces nightly sanitation in the busy university belt food strip. (Photo courtesy of Fusion Alley Food Park - Sampaloc Manila)

“I cannot allow you to say that it’s dirty during the day; we clean it at night and flush it in the morning,” he said, adding that city personnel are tasked to conduct nightly cleanup and morning flushing operations to maintain hygiene standards.

Domagoso said enforcement teams monitor the area regularly, similar to oversight in major commercial zones, and vendors are expected to comply with sanitation rules.

He acknowledged, however, that the system is not flawless and said the city is open to acting on verified complaints.

He also urged residents and students to formally submit complaints to City Hall, noting that reports must go through proper channels for validation and response.

At the same time, the mayor pointed out that the reorganization displaced informal vendor setups that previously operated across the area, suggesting that some opposition may stem from those affected by the new system.

Despite the concerns, Domagoso maintained that Fusion Alley addresses two long-standing issues, unregulated street vending and limited livelihood opportunities, while providing a designated, controlled space for business.

He emphasized that the challenge now is enforcement.

Vendors must maintain cleanliness, manage waste properly, and minimize disruption to nearby residents. Failure to comply, he said, could lead to closure.