BACOLOD City – The city government will lease a portion of a lot at the back of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) to accommodate vendors.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has informed the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on markets and slaughterhouse regarding the plan to provide vendors with a proper venue for their business.
The property will be sub-leased to the vendors once the city government starts leasing it, said Councilor Celia Flor, chairman of the SP committee on markets and slaughterhouse.
On Thursday, June 20, Flor convened the vendors doing business at the back of the BCGC.
She said those willing to avail themselves of spaces could visit her office for more details.
The BCGC stands on a five-hectare lot in Barangay Villamonte donated by the Gonzaga family. The area just across it at the back is occupied every late afternoon by vendors who are mostly selling food.
Last month, the City Legal Office (CLO) issued a reminder to vendors operating in the area that their presence there is temporary and unregulated.
City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said these vendors are not authorized or don’t have permit to conduct business, and could be removed any time.
Also present during the meeting were the Manokan Country stall owners.
The city councilor said they expressed willingness to also operate at the back of the government center.
Earlier this month, the CLO issued notices to 26 Manokan Country stall owners, requiring them to leave their premises by July 5 due to a redevelopment project by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI).
The redevelopment will take place on the 16,875-square-meter city government property across from SM City Mall.
SPHI has also provided a temporary area for them to continue their business. However several stall owners complained that despite the free temporary space provided for them, the area could not accommodate more customers./PN
