Manokan tenants seek dialogue with mayor after closure

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Twenty-four tenants of Manokan Country are requesting another dialogue with Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez following the closure of their stalls yesterday for a P4-billion redevelopment project.

Councilor Celia Flor, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Markets, said the tenants want to speak with the mayor after verbally signifying their intention to transfer to the temporary facility provided by SM Prime Holdings at SM City Bacolod, located across the existing Manokan Country in Barangay 12.

Flor visited the area yesterday to personally assess the situation and spoke with the tenants while the City Legal Enforcement Unit enforced the closure of their stalls.

Flor reported a positive conversation with the tenants and advised them to write a letter of intent to the mayor, formally indicating their willingness to transfer to the temporary spaces.

“Mayor Benitez only wants the tenants to have goodwill, as the city is open to hearing their concerns,” Flor said.

The tenants expressed their willingness to transfer but need to show initiative, Flor added. She emphasized that the closure would proceed regardless of whether tenants have updated payments or arrears.

“The stalls will remain closed until they can talk with the mayor,” she stated.

Flor committed to delivering the letter of intent to the mayor and relaying the tenants’ appeal for a dialogue.

Flor noted that tenants should have begun processing the transfer of their utilities with the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) before moving to the temporary spaces.

Of the 24 tenants, 10 have not updated their payments for arrears, violating their obligations stated in the 2022 compromise agreement. These 10 tenants have yet to settle their arrears this week.

Benitez ordered the closure after none of the tenants earlier signified their intent to transfer to the temporary facility amid a series of negotiations.

The city had given the tenants a 30-day notice to vacate their stalls and a two-week extension after submitting a compromise agreement, which the city accepted.

However, tenants posted signs outside their stalls expressing opposition to vacating the area.

The City Legal Enforcement Unit, with assistance from Police Station 1, began implementing the closure order from Fr. Ferrero St. to Vendors Plaza and Burgos Street yesterday as part of the city’s comprehensive redevelopment plan in collaboration with SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

The plan aims to provide a cleaner and more comfortable experience for customers.

If the original tenants do not express an intention to transfer to the temporary facility, the city will offer the vacant stalls to interested business owners.

The city anticipates an increase in tourism and economic growth with the redevelopment’s improved look and service.