• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod extended until March 15 the temporary road closure of Father M. Ferrero Street, from corner of Rizal Street to Burgos Street, in line with the Manokan Country development.
This is to “give way for the fencing and piling activity of SM Prime Holdings Inc. in relation to its development of Manokan Country and to accommodate the Manokan vendors in operating a food and trade fair on said road,” Mayor Alfredo Benitez said in his letter-request for extension dated Feb. 11, and favorably acted upon by the SP during its session Feb. 12.
Last month, the SP granted the request of Benitez for the temporary road closure of Fr. M. Ferrero Street until Feb. 14 “to give way for the clearing and demolition operation…and to remove the remaining informal settlers in the area to be affected by the project of Bacolod and SM Prime.”
The closure covers areas within Manokan Country, the Vendors Plaza, Jeepney Terminal, Beerhausen Restobar, and Twilight Diner.
“This measure aims to ensure public safety during the clearing and demolition operation,” City Legal Officer, Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu, earlier explained.
Chiu had said that the CLO-Integrated City Enforcement Team intended to conduct clearing and demolition operations “to remove the remaining informal settlers in the area to be affected by the (SM) project”.
Several Manokan Country tenants have also started doing business at the temporary location at SM City Bacolod, just across the original site. | CGC
