BACOLOD CITY – The city government has given another extension to Manokan Country tenants to leave.

THE perspective of the new Manokan Country to be developed by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI) in Bacolod City which is set to open in 2026. (Photo courtesy of SM)
Mayor Albee Benitez said tenants were given until September 12 to transfer to a temporary facility at the parking space of SM City Bacolod just across the existing Manokan Country in Barangay 12, days after the latest August 25 deadline lapsed.
The recent extension stemmed from the request of SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI) with the city government to give them more time to install the exhaust fans in the temporary facility.
City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said that SM is awaiting materials they ordered for the exhaust system and installation takes time. “They wanted to make sure that the facility is ready,” he added.
Initially, Ting said that it was agreed that tenants will provide the exhaust system but SM later decided to shoulder it.
Of the 26 tenants, 24 agreed to transfer to the temporary space while the two others opted to continue with their businesses in their chosen locations.
Benitez has ordered the closure of the stalls on July 16 after tenants disagreed to transfer to the temporary facility despite series of negotiations and some of them failed to settle or update the payment of their arrears with the city government.
But tenants were allowed to continue with their operations in the existing site on July 17, provided they start processing their utilities before transferring to the temporary facility.
The city government recently presented the perspective of the new Manokan Country to be developed by SPHI that pays homage to the existing outdoor hawker stalls that sell chicken inasal as well as classic Filipino street food.
Upon entering the open-air plaza, customers are greeted with dozens of tables and chairs for outdoor conversation, eating, and relaxing.
Inside the structure, there is a two-level beer garden, numerous hawker stalls, a hypermarket, and various retail shops. It is set to open in 2026, according to SM.
Benitez said they wanted to ensure that the Manokan ambiance will be maintained amid the modern touch of the structure, which include upgrading of facilities such as kitchen, dining, and comfort rooms.
“We will have to maintain the original concept of the Manokan Country. It should have the same ambiance and feel,” he added.
Benitez said they need to capture the essence branding of Manokan, including the affordability of the chicken inasal, and its taste.