• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Mayor Alfredo Benitez said Feb. 26 that he is not inclined to still allow vendors at the public plaza as plans are already afoot to beautify and upgrade the area.
Benitez was reacting to the letter of Bishop Patricio Buzon on the plan of the Diocese of Bacolod to use its own property at the plaza for a two-month summer trade fair that will start on March 15.
“If the City of Bacolod will continue to allow businesses in (the) public plaza, then we wish to inform (the city) that the Roman Catholic Bishop of Bacolod plans to use its own property at the plaza…for a trade fair on souvenir items and dry goods on March 15 to May 15, 2024,” Buzon said in his recent letter to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.
The fair will cover the sidewalk on Gatuslao Street across Merzci Bread and Pastries, and the stretch of sidewalk along Rizal Street fronting La Consolacion College, all the way to the Queen City Development Bank, the letter added.
“Whatever donation we can get from this fair will surely go a long way in providing medical care for our retired and ailing priests, residing at Domus Dei, Silay City,” Buzon said in the letter that the Sangguniang Panlungsod referred to the Office of the City Mayor for appropriate action.
But Benitez said in a press conference this morning that he will likely reject any proposal that will hamper the aesthetics or visuality of the plaza.
He said he met with the bishop before and was informed of the city’s plan to no longer allow businesses or trade fairs in the area. “We plan to preserve the prestige of the plaza and the beautiful visuals and daw okay man to siya.”
The mayor reiterated that the city will find ways to assist the church, especially on the needs of its retired and ailing priests, noting that this is mainly the reason why the Diocese allows trade fairs on its property at the plaza.
He said the upgrade and beautification of the plaza, worth P80 million, could start this year. “May mga requirements lang ginapasa.” | CGC
