• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod City government has postponed the scheduled clearing of stalls surrounding the Bacolod City Government Center, granting vendors a 10-day extension to voluntarily vacate the area following a clearing deadline set on March 6.
The grace period was established by the City Legal Office (CLO) to ensure a more orderly transition while the city government finalizes a permanent relocation site.
CLO Enforcement Team head retired police colonel Levy Pangue said that ambulant vendors are also strictly advised against obstructing the roads and are prohibited from establishing structures on the street.
The enforcement action is a necessary response to the deed of donation for the property, which explicitly prohibits business operations in the property, according to City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo.
Negotiations are currently underway with the Gonzaga family to secure a nearby private lot where vendors can operate legally under a structured rental agreement.*
