By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The Manokan Country at the Reclamation area in Barangay 12 reopened last Wednesday, as 24 tenants were given one month to transfer to a temporary facility.
Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, during the Isugid Kay Mayor radio program on Wednesday night, said tenants were given a month to process their utilities—water and electricity—before moving to the temporary space at the SM City Bacolod parking area, just across the existing Manokan Country.
“I gave them ample time to transfer to the temporary facility,” Benitez said. He stressed that the one-month period is conditional based on the tenants’ actions.
“We need to see their efforts to transfer, showing their commitment,” the mayor said.
Benitez stated that if tenants did not act within two weeks, the city would close down their stalls again. “As business owners, they have to be conscious of their responsibilities. They should not neglect their obligations. They should be responsible enough,” he said.
Benitez ordered the stalls closed last Tuesday after none of the tenants agreed to transfer to the temporary facility amid a series of negotiations.
A final dialogue between the tenants and the mayor was held last Wednesday, where they officially expressed their intent to move to the temporary space.
During the dialogue, tenants were urged to pay their arrears within 18 months to enable the transfer to the permanent site. Of the 24 tenants, 14 have updated payments, while the rest need to pay 10 percent and settle their arrears monthly based on a matrix provided by the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) to transfer to the temporary facility and later secure a slot at the permanent site.
The city government, in collaboration with SM Prime Holdings Inc., aims to redevelop Manokan Country to boost tourism and economic growth in the city. The P4-billion redevelopment project is tentatively set to operate by next year. Benitez said the redevelopment aims to enhance sanitation to attract more tourists.
