• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has granted a three-month extension for the operation of the Asenso Satellite Market in Barangay Alijis.
The special permit was approved during the SP regular session on Wednesday, June 10, following a request from Barangay Captain Deogracias Dela Vega.
The enforcement team was initially scheduled to dismantle the structures at the Satellite Market last week after the City Legal Office (CLO) issued a final 10-day notice to stall owners to vacate the area for operating without a permit for two months.
Councilor Celia Matea Flor, chairperson of the Committee on Markets, said the barangay is currently negotiating with the Bacolod Girls’ Home for a property across the existing site of the Satellite Market.
Flor said the barangay intends to purchase a portion of the property as the permanent site of the market.
“They have actually been looking for a location for a public market for a long time because, despite being a large barangay, they still don’t have one, unlike Sum-ag and Handumanan. They really want to have their own, but they are having a hard time finding a spot,” Flor said.
In the meantime, the affected 31 stall owners are required to secure special permits from the city.
“We are granting a three-month extension, and we, along with the members of the SP, hope that this will be the last one. I believe this is already their fourth time requesting an extension,” the councilor added.
Meanwhile, CLO head Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu said they are verifying reports of illegal tapping of electricity at the Asenso Market.
A structural inspection conducted by the Office of the Building Official found that all market stalls were tapping their electrical connections from the Barangay Tanod outpost.
Chiu said the practice is dangerous and that his office will act on it. | TMD
