• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The demolition of government offices and facilities in Bacolod City has officially commenced to pave the way for the Manokan Country Redevelopment Project.
Bacolod City Legal Office Spokesperson Atty. Vanessa Encabo said the project will affect several key structures, including the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group office, the Tourism Office, the Nutrition Center, and the Bacolod Youth and Sports Center.
The clearing operations began last week with the removal of the City Legal Office’s impounding area, while the stalls of flower vendors are scheduled to be the final structures demolished.
The City Engineer’s Office is leading the demolition process and is currently conducting a resurvey to determine if portions of Police Station 1 and the Commission on Elections office will be impacted.
The city government aims to complete all demolition activities by March 31, 2026, after which the site will be turned over to SM Prime Holdings Inc. for the construction of a modern food and business hub.
BRGY 1 & 2 CLEARING
On February 3, the City Legal Striker Team conducted a peaceful notice-issuance operation in Barangays 1 and 2 to address recurring illegal structures and obstructions encroaching on public roads and sidewalks, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
The operation, which started at approximately 8:30 a.m., was led by Ret. PCol. Levy Pangue, together with Clarence Raymund Giles Isulat and Bartolome Malde Jr. (Attorney II – City Legal Enforcement head). The team worked in close coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and was supported by personnel from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to ensure a smooth and orderly process.
A total of 20 residents, 15 from Barangay 2 and 5 from Barangay 1, were issued formal notices. These residents are situated in illegal structures and shanties that obstruct the DPWH road widening projects, gutter areas, and sidewalks. Records show that these areas had been previously cleared by the DPWH with the voluntary cooperation of the residents; however, illegal structures were recently reconstructed in the same high-risk locations.
“Our administration is committed to ensuring that our public spaces, especially our sidewalks and road-widening areas, are utilized for their intended purpose,” the City Legal Office stated. The safety of both pedestrians and motorists is the top priority of the city, and the administration is handling these matters with strict adherence to the law and due process.
In accordance with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2024-053, the issued notices provide the affected residents a 10-day period to voluntarily remove their structures. The City Legal Office reported that the activity was conducted without any untoward incidents or tensions, as residents calmly cooperated with the team and local authorities.
This initiative reflects the current administration’s ongoing program to maintain urban discipline and support infrastructure development throughout the city, ensuring that Bacolod remains a safe environment for all residents and visitors.*
