BACOLOD CITY — The City Legal Office (CLO) has issued a reminder to vendors operating behind the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) that their presence there is temporary and unregulated.
According to City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr., these vendors are not authorized to conduct business in this area and could be removed at any time.
The BCGC land, part of which was donated by the Gonzaga family specifically for the government building, includes a stipulation in its contract that prohibits vending in the vicinity. Ting emphasized that the city has already notified the vendors of these restrictions and has not issued any permits for them to operate there.
Furthermore, the presence of the vendors, particularly during their peak afternoon hours, has been causing traffic congestion. Should complaints arise from the lot owners, the city would be compelled to act and remove the vendors.
In related news, on May 15, the city ordered the closure of 17 other business establishments across various barangays for operating without the necessary permits. These businesses, primarily small eateries known locally as carinderias, were shut down following inspections by the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO).
Ting noted the success of the recent initiative to include a Quick Response (QR) code on business permits, which has effectively eliminated the issue of fake permits previously encountered by the city. The BPLO continues its comprehensive mapping and inspection of all local business establishments, aiming to ensure compliance with city regulations./PN
