BACOLOD CITY – The 26 tenants of Manokan Country here have only until July 5 to vacate their stalls situated at the city-owned property at the Reclamation Area in Barangay 12.
MANOKAN Country is a row of restaurants selling grilled food, especially the famous Bacolod chicken inasal, in Barangay 12, Bacolod City. (Photo courtesy of Atty. Caesar Distrito Facebook)
City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said they have served a notice to vacate to the tenants early this week.
Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said that these tenants shall be transferred to a temporary space provided by the SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI) at the parking area of SM City Bacolod just across Manokan Country.
“Within 30 days, they have to vacate. No more discussion,” he added.
They were ordered to leave despite a letter they sent to Benitez outlining demands like providing them with a place to put up their stalls.
The mayor said that the tenants should have mentioned it before the SPHI built the temporary spaces.
“Everything seemed okay, and suddenly, they will send me a letter with demands. After so many discussions with them, this is enough,” the mayor said.
Benitez said the city will do a proper bidding based on the process on how to award the stalls and those who will be awarded will be assured of spaces once the new Manokan Country is completed.
Manokan Country is a row of restaurants selling grilled food, especially the famous Bacolod chicken inasal, which was stablished in the 1990s.
Ting said that tenants who were able to settle their arrears with the city will be recommended to avail spaces in the new Manokan Country.
SM Prime Holdings is committed to investing P4 billion in the implementation of the redevelopment of the iconic Manokan Country which is being eyed to operate tentatively by 2025.
In October last year, the SPHI and the city government signed a 40-year lease agreement for the project.