BACOLOD City – The city government still stands firm on its decision to close the Manokan Country at the Reclamation Area in Barangay 12 here.
Based on the notice to vacate issued by the City Legal Office (CLO) dated June 3, 2024, stall owners were given until July 5 to leave their rented stalls.
The CLO served another notice dated June 14, 2024, or a notice of willingness to transfer to the site provided by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI).
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the city government will close the area on Saturday, July 6, the day after the notice to vacate would lapse.
The city mayor said he directed Colonel Noel Aliño, director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), to make a contingency plan regarding the situation on Saturday.
But, Mayor Benitez said he received fillers from the affected vendors that they are willing to vacate their stalls provided they will be transferred to a place suitable for them.
Earlier this week, Manokan Country vendors were standing firm against eviction, demanding a court order before any demolition takes place, despite notices from the city government.
Tenant spokesperson Tess Ombao-Mondres declared, “No court order, no demolition.”
But, in a media interview yesterday, Mondres said the 23 Manokan Country vendors resisting eviction have a scheduled meeting with the city mayor.
She hoped that everything would be settled based on their proposal that they will be provided a place that shall be under the local government management. She added they are also willing to pay lease fees.
The city government leased the Manokan land to SPHI for redevelopment.
The proposed relocation site for vendors is the parking lot of SM City Malls, across from the current Manokan Country, where vendors can stay rent-free for 18 months./PN
