BACOLOD City – The city government is planning to put up Manokan Country East at the back of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) in Barangay Villamonte here.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the owner of the private lot has agreed to lease the vacant area at the back of the BCGC.
“It’s just a matter of getting the contract signed for the establishment of Manokan Country East. It’s part of the city’s plan to ensure to have an atmosphere or environment that enhances the quality of life, like having parks and playgrounds,” the mayor said.
Of the over four hectares private property, the city government will only be leasing 1.6 hectares, he said.
Additionally, Mayor Benitez said that he proposed that the football field, park and playground will be situated at the back of the BCGC, just across the existing football field which will be converted into a parking area.
He added that the construction of the legislative building behind the government center is currently ongoing.
The original Manokan Country is located across from SM City Mall in the Reclamation Area, Barangay 12.
On June 3, the City Legal Office (CLO) issued notices to vacate to 26 of these stall owners in line with the redevelopment project by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI), which has leased part of the Manokan lot from the city.
SPHI has provided a temporary relocation site at the SM City Malls parking lot, however none of the stall owners have yet agreed to move.
City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said the stall owners were given until June 20 to respond, and now face a final deadline of July 5 to vacate the premises.
Earlier, the Permits and License Division of Bacolod City has issued a stop order to 13 Manokan Country stall owners due to their failure to obtain the necessary business permits.
The directive, dated June 26, mandates the cessation of operations until further notice./PN
