• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod City Government officially turned over 31 units of ‘G-Carts’ to members of the Bacolod City Plaza Vendors Association (BACPUVA), yesterday afternoon.
Funded through the city’s Cooperative and Livelihood Development Fund, each 1-by-1 meter food cart is valued at P15,000, bringing the total cost of the livelihood project to P465,000.
Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed his optimism for the project, stating that he hopes the new equipment will help improve the economic situation and daily operations of the vendors at the public plaza.
According to April Rose Mayo, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, the city government previously conducted a mapping and profiling inspection to ensure the assistance reached the right individuals.
She noted that because the rehabilitation of the plaza is still ongoing, the vendors and their new food carts will temporarily occupy designated areas.
Mayo added that the 31 beneficiaries are the exact same vendors who received P10,000 each in financial livelihood assistance from the city last year.
As part of the turnover process, the vendors signed an “oath of undertaking,” strictly prohibiting them from renting out, transferring, or using the carts for any purpose other than selling food.
The recipients are cleared to immediately use the carts, which feature solar lights to aid them during night operations, for their daily business.*
