• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The city government has finalized plans to relocate over 100 ambulant vendors, from the premises of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) to an adjacent private lot also owned by the donors of the land where the BCGC stands.
City administrator, Atty. Mark Steven Mayo, said that, in a meeting between and among city officials, vendors association, and the Gonzaga family, the latter will develop their property into a vending hub with a covered structure, concrete flooring, and an events area, with water and electricity.
The targeted tenants include ambulant vendors operating around the BCGC grounds, who were previously issued notices to vacate by the City Legal Office.
“The purpose of this, aside from clearing the area, is to fulfill the provisions of the deed of donations, while providing a permanent and more organized vending area for our vendors,” Mayo said.
Under the donation agreement, the city is obligated to keep the surrounding area of the BCGC free from business activities and unauthorized structures to maintain the integrity of the government site.
“One of the advantages on the part of the city is that the vendors can now process their permits. When they process their permits, there is a fee paid to the city, which serves as another revenue source. It may be minimal, but at the very least, it legitimizes them,” Mayo explained.
The area is initially designed to accommodate up to 100 vendors, divided into separate zones for foods, dry goods, as well as an area for the visually-impaired massage therapists, who have agreed to transfer to a designated section within the private property.
Mayo added that some vendors currently operating along North Capitol Road have likewise expressed interest in relocating to the area.
He said the proposed rental scheme will feature a yearly contract with daily payments ranging from P100 to P300 for a standard six-square-meter space, with a maximum size limit enforced to ensure equity among tenants.
The city government is currently screening applicants to determine final eligibility.
The project is targeted for completion before the MassKara Festival in October. | TMD
