BACOLOD City – The City Legal Office Enforcement Unit, along with the officers of Police Station 1, implemented yesterday the closure order of Manokan Country in Barangay 12, or from Fr. Ferrero Street to Burgos Street.
The closure is part of the comprehensive redevelopment of the area to be spearheaded by the SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI), aimed at providing a cleaner and more comfortable experience for customers.
On Monday, July 15, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the closure would proceed, saying:
“Originally, we gave them 30 days notice para sa ila nga pagsaylo but obviously ang ila action daw wala gana magsaylo. I was given a compromise arrangement nga ginbaton ta man, but obviously daw wala man sila gana magsunod… kay nagtakod pa gid to sila sang posters kag tarps. So the city will enforce road closure and the closure of all Manokan tenants.”
During yesterday’s closure of 27 Manokan stalls, meanwhile, the stall owners sent a letter of intent dated July 16, 2024 to Mayor Benitez in agreement to avail of the temporary area provided by SPHI at the parking hub of SM City Mall, just across the Manokan Country.
They also said they will process for the transfer of their water and electricity utilities.
Following the closure, Councilor Celia Flor, the chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on markets, held a dialogue with the stall owners.
She said 24 stall owners have agreed to transfer to the temporary area and they were asking to have a dialogue with Mayor Benitez.
“Subong amon istoryahanay positive man kay nagsiling sila masaylo sila sa temporary nga venue. Kay ang 12 nga points nga ginaayo nila nasabat ko man to. Pwede masabat sang syudad ang rental, ang ila transfer, etcetera, okay na sya,” the councilor said.
She added that she will forward the stall owner’s letter to the city mayor to know if the latter is still willing to meet with them.
As to the status of the stalls of the 24 vendors, Flor stressed they will remain closed “until such time nga they will talk with the mayor or mabasa ni mayor ang ila letter… kag mag-okay si mayor.”/PN