By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez announced Wednesday that the city government plans to build a pedestrian mall on Ferrero Street, in front of Manokan Country and SM City Bacolod.
Benitez said the city has allocated PHP50 million for the project.
“We see strong economic activity on Ferrero Street, so we will convert it into a pedestrian mall, which can also serve as a night market,” he said.
The mayor said the Market Board will decide which vendors will be allowed to operate in the area.
He added that vehicles may still pass through the street during the day, as it will only be closed to traffic at night.
Benitez said a dome will be installed on the street, and ambulant vendors will be invited to do business there.
He added that the project will serve as an additional attraction, complementing Manokan Country.
Benitez said he will seek an exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the project.
The old Manokan Country was demolished last month to make way for Bacolod’s PHP4-billion redevelopment project in partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI).
Benitez said SPHI has a little over a year to complete the project.
To help tenants continue their businesses, they were provided temporary space at SM City’s terminal hub across the old Manokan Country.
Manokan Country had 27 tenants, but only 26 were operational. Of those, 24 agreed to transfer to the temporary site, while two found alternative locations.
Benitez met with the tenants earlier this month and checked on their situation at the terminal hub.
He said vendors reported they were doing well and had plenty of customers at the temporary site.
“They were each given equal spaces, and you can see how it helps everyone,” the mayor said.
Following the demolition, Benitez emphasized that Manokan Country is not gone.
“It is still here because it is an intangible cultural heritage that we recognize and preserve,” he said.
Benitez said the new Manokan Country will stay true to its original concept of offering affordable, native grilled chicken or chicken inasal.
“We want the new facility to showcase how the chicken is prepared and cooked,” he added.
He said the upgraded facilities will eventually align with this vision.
