By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The City Legal Office (CLO) here will enforce the closure of all stalls at Manokan Country, situated in the Reclamation area in Barangay 12, on Tuesday, July 16.
This was announced by Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez during a press briefing at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) yesterday, amid the compromise agreement between the city and the Manokan tenants.
Benitez said the city initially gave the tenants a 30-day notice to vacate their stalls to make way for the redevelopment project of the iconic Manokan Country.
However, none of the tenants agreed to transfer to the temporary facility provided by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI) at the parking area of SM City Bacolod, just across from Manokan Country, despite several meetings to address their concerns.
Earlier this month, the tenants put up posters and tarpaulins to oppose the demolition of the structure.
The city then granted a two-week extension after the July 5 deadline, following the tenants’ submission of a compromise agreement stating their demands.
“I was given a compromise agreement; we accepted it, but it seems that they don’t have an interest in following the agreement,” Benitez said, adding that the tenants again put up posters outside their stalls expressing their opposition to vacate the area.
With this development, Benitez said the city will proceed with the closure enforcement. “This is final. The demolition has already started,” he added.
Benitez noted that after several discussions with the tenants, they seem to be using delaying tactics.
“Until when are we going to talk about this? In this case, the stalls will be closed,” he said.
Despite this, Benitez stated that he is open to talking to the tenants after the closure of Manokan Country.
He also consulted the Business and Permits Licensing Office (BPLO) on the number of employees of the Manokan tenants, and based on their records, only 61 employees have been declared.
If the tenants still refuse to transfer to the temporary facility, the city, through the CLO, will employ their workers to run the temporary Manokan location.
Benitez mentioned that the tenants expressed concern for their employees once Manokan Country is demolished. He offered to employ the workers in the temporary spaces.
“Probably, they can manage. We’ll see,” he said.
Benitez also plans to check if the contributions of these employees to the Social Security System (SSS) and PhilHealth are updated.
A temporary road closure will be implemented for the planned clearing activity of the structures within Manokan Country, Vendor’s Plaza, and the jeepney terminal, along Fr. M. Ferrero Street (from the corner of Rizal Street to the corner of Burgos Street) from July 8 to 31.
Benitez said the city is prepared to face any complaints if the tenants file a case against the city for their actions. “Kung mag file sila case, te file sila eh,” he added.
A P4 billion investment was committed by SM Prime Holdings for the redevelopment of Manokan Country, which is tentatively set to operate by 2025.
