BACOLOD CITY – Manokan Country here reopened on Wednesday, July 17, after its 24 tenants were given one month to transfer to the temporary facility.

MANOKAN Country reopens on Wednesday, July 17, a day after it was ordered closed by the city government due to the opposition of the tenants to the P4-billion redevelopment project. (Glazyl Masculino)
The iconic landmark was back in business a day after Mayor Albee Benitez ordered the closure of the stalls on Tuesday, July 16, after tenants disagreed to transfer to the temporary facility despite series of negotiations.
Some of the tenants failed to settle or update the payment of their arrears with the city government.
The closure of the stalls was intended to prepare for the demolition of the structure to enable SM Prime Holdings Inc. to implement the P4-billion redevelopment project of the iconic Manokan Country which is tentatively targeted to operate by next year.
However, after a dialogue with Benitez on Wednesday, tenants were given a month to process their utilities before transferring to the temporary facility at the parking space of SM City Bacolod just across the existing Manokan Country in Barangay 12.
Benitez, over the “Isugid Kay Mayor” radio program on Wednesday night, stressed that the one-month period is conditional depending on the actions of the tenants.
“I gave them ample time to transfer to the temporary facility. But we need to see their efforts to transfer,” the mayor said.
Benitez said that if he learns that tenants did not act within two weeks, the city will close down their stalls again.
“As business owners, they have to be conscious with their responsibilities. They should not neglect their obligations,” he added.
The tenants in their recent dialogue with the mayor officially expressed their intent to transfer to the temporary facility.
They were urged to pay their arrears within 18 months to enable them to transfer to the permanent site.