• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Clearing of structures within the Manokan Country, Vendors Plaza, and jeepney terminal will start soon as the Sangguniang Panlungsod favorably acted on the request of Mayor Alfredo Benitez for a temporary closure of Father M. Ferrero Street, from corner of Rizal Street up to the corner of Burgos Street, on July 8 to 31.
The clearing activity, to be conducted by the Integrated City Enforcement Team, will “facilitate the implementation of a project by the City, in partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc.,” Benitez said.
City Legal Officer, Atty. Romeo Carlos Ting Jr., in his July 2 letter-request to the Office of the Mayor for a temporary road closure, said “the structures within the Manokan Country, Vendors Plaza, and Jeepney Terminal are to be cleared or removed to facilitate the implementation of a project by the City, in partnership with SM Prime…”
The Bacolod government has a 40-year lease contract with SM Prime to develop the city’s properties near the mall, including the Manokan Country, all with an aggregate area of 16,875 square meters, or 1.68 hectares.
The check for P131 million was turned over by SM Supermalls president Steven Tan to Benitez Oct. 20 last year during the contract signing and payment of advance rental, which also signaled the start of the redevelopment of the iconic Manokan Country “into a future-ready tourist destination”.
But the Manokan tenants have been opposing their temporary transfer to the terminal hub of SM, and negotiating for more time, amid the notice to vacate issued by the CLO. | CGC
