With the rehabilitation of the Bacolod public plaza nearing completion, Mayor Greg Gasataya led the turnover of the newly-refurbished G-carts to 31 plaza vendors May 28.
Each food cart, worth P15,000, was provided free of charge to the vendors. The carts are equipped with wheels for mobility, storage compartments, and solar lights.
The initiative aims to uplift the livelihood of vendors while contributing to a more colorful and greener urban landscape for the city’s iconic public space.
“Let’s uplift the dignity of our plaza vendors, as well as other nearby vendors,” Gasataya said as he emphasized the city’s efforts to create a better environment for everyone instead of relocating the vendors.
“We do not intend to disrupt the livelihood of our vendors at the plaza,” the mayor said in a city press release. “What we want is to provide them with proper venues where everyone can benefit while improving their means of livelihood.”
The city is also working on the issuance of special permits for the vendors.
Gasataya stressed that it is only fitting to protect vendors and support the place where business and economic activity in the city first flourished.
“We understand that even small businesses need protection and support as we rehabilitate the plaza. We can’t do this alone, but if everyone helps protect the public plaza, we can achieve more together,” he said.
The mayor expects the ongoing rehabilitation works at the plaza, being undertaken by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, to be completed by July this year, in time for preparations ahead of the MassKara Festival in October.
Members and officers of the Bacolod City Public Vendors Association (BACPUVA), meanwhile, expressed excitement as they received their respective government-carts.
Gloria Castillano, president of BACPUVA, expressed deep gratitude to the mayor for finally fulfilling their longtime dream of being recognized rather than being looked down upon for illegally-vending and allegedly obstructing pathways within the plaza.
“For years, we were subjected to removal operations, and many of our products were confiscated or wasted during clearing operations,” Castillano recalled. She and her siblings started selling banana cue and drinks at the plaza in the 1970s.
“But now, we feel protected and grateful for this opportunity to improve our lives through the mayor’s initiative,” she added.
April Rose Mayo, executive assistant to the mayor, explained that the program began when Gasataya assumed office in July 2025.
Through the City Administrator’s Office, in cooperation with the City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office and the Department of Social Services and Development, through the leadership of Ma. Brenda Bordeos, the city held various livelihoods and skills training programs for the vendors. These included dishwashing liquid production, meat processing, handicrafts, seafood and fruit processing, and food preservation. ||
