BACOLOD CITY – The city government has started the demolition of the old site of the Manokan Country in Barangay 12 here this week, 40 years after it was built in the 1980s.
MANOKAN Country in Barangay 12, Bacolod City is being demolished to give way to the P4-billion redevelopment project. (Photo courtesy of John Dale Salazar)
Following a series of negotiations since last year, all 24 tenants vacated the old site by Feb. 21 in line with the agreement with the city government.
“End of an era: Today, we bid farewell as Manokan Country closes its doors,” Nena’s Rose Chicken Inasal/Yanna Chicken Inasal, one of the tenants at the old site, said in a Facebook post.
They thanked their valued customers for their unwavering support and being part of their journey.
“Your love for our food and your loyalty will always be cherished. This is not goodbye – it’s a step towards new beginnings. Maraming salamat! (Thank you!)” they said.
SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI) has invested P4 billion to redevelop the iconic Manokan Country to boost tourism and economic growth in this city.
Tenants started moving to the parking space of SM City Bacolod last month and staying there while the redevelopment project is underway.
“So far, there have been no significant complaints, and the temporary space with 24 stalls has been fully occupied,” said Mayor Albee Benitez here.
The city government offered P20,000 in financial assistance to tenants and SM Prime built stalls at the temporary site to help them maintain their businesses.
Benitez acknowledged that business owners, vendors, and restaurant operators may have concerns about the changes but emphasized that the city is providing support to help them recover. He hopes that these vendors are starting to see the positive impact of these efforts.
Councilor Celia Flor, chairperson of the City Council Committee on Markets, said that over 2,500 food vouchers amounting to P384,000 have been used out of the 3,400 totaling P500,000 released to help boost the sales of the tenants at the temporary site.
Flor said that there are at least 900 unclaimed vouchers that will be replaced to extend their validity. These food vouchers were sourced from the personal fund of Benitez to help promote the temporary site of the Manokan Country.