• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The vision of the Bacolod City government to develop the Manokan Country into a prime tourist destination while maintaining its unique vibe and the famous taste of its charcoal-grilled chicken is a step closer to becoming a reality.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan are set to sign this afternoon, Oct. 20, the contract for the Manokan Country Redevelopment Project.
The signing of the 40-year lease agreement between the city government and SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) will be held at the Bacolod Government Center, after the Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday authorized Benitez to ink the contract for the lease and development of various city properties, including the Manokan Country, all with an aggregate area of 16,875 square meters, or about 1.68-hectares.
This public-private partnership with SM Prime is expected to accelerate Bacolod’s super city vision, with a P3 billion minimum cost of investment in the leased premises, and annual rent of P21.26 million, that could help the city achieve its goal faster.
Benitez has made known his “centralized goal of transforming Bacolod as a Super City – a global city with a thriving economy and skilled labor force, and a model for green development and upright governance”.
“Having finally recovered from the adverse economic effects of the pandemic, it is high time for us to move forward by improving and intensifying our efforts in marketing Bacolod City as an investment haven and prime tourism site,” the mayor said as he took note of several projects and developments that are ongoing and will start soon in the highly-urbanized city.
The Manokan redevelopment, in partnership with the city government, will start soon.
“We want to improve it. It lacks many things, and there are areas that we can upgrade and improve,” Benitez had said of the Manokan site. “We know for a fact that Manokan Country is the pride and joy of the city and we would like to elevate it to be more viable.”
The mayor said that the Manokan Country occupants will be provided with space where they can continue to serve their clients while the development is ongoing.
Benitez said that eventually, the tenants will be able to operate on a 24-hour basis since their stalls will be located outside and not inside a building.
“They will still be in exactly the same location but with a beautiful structure and better facilities,” the mayor said.
The tenants are also assured of bigger income in the improved Manokan, with not less than 10,000 customers expected daily, mostly students and call center employees, with the opening of a Business Process Outsourcing facility, a school, and residences, also at SM.
These developments in the sprawling SM Bacolod complex are set to add to the growth and investment value of the city. | CGC
