BACOLOD City – The city government has intensified efforts to regulate activities at the Bacolod Public Plaza, with a focus on removing illegal vendors and addressing the presence of homeless individuals. This move aims to maintain order and ensure the area is free of unauthorized activities.
A joint team from the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), City Legal Office (CLO), and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) conducted a clearing operation on September 26 following a recent inspection of the plaza. During the operation, 16 individuals, including homeless people, illegal vendors, barkers, gamblers, and others, were apprehended.
POSO head Primitivo Tabujara explained that the homeless individuals were taken to the BAYS Center by DSSD personnel, where they received orientation and assistance to return to their respective homes. However, Tabujara noted that many of these individuals have been repeatedly apprehended in the plaza despite previous interventions by the city’s anti-mendicancy task force.
The operation also targeted illegal vendors and manicurists operating without identification cards issued by the city.
Tabujara emphasized that only vendors with proper IDs are allowed to sell at the plaza, but they are prohibited from staying overnight in their designated areas.
Additionally, the CLO team patrolled nearby streets to clear the area of barkers, who have been contributing to traffic congestion and disorder.
Authorities also apprehended individuals playing chess for money and included pimps in the clearing operation to prevent illegal transactions in the plaza.
“The plaza must maintain peace and order so that visitors can feel safe and enjoy the space,” Tabujara said.
The joint team will continue to conduct random inspections to ensure that the plaza remains a clean and orderly place for recreation, free from illegal activities./PN
