By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday defended his decision to remove vendors from the Bacolod Public Plaza.
“The plaza should be maintained as a plaza,” he stated. “We would really like to transform the plaza into something wholesome.”
Leonardia said he would like to see the plaza become “a place for relaxation and interaction with family.”
The mayor added, plaza developments are currently underway, which include improvements to the lighting and sound systems.
Leonardia said he is open to relocating the displaced vendors to the Vendor’s Plaza or hiring some as job order casuals. However, he affirmed vendors are prohibited from the plaza.
Recently, the City Legal Enforcement Unit (CLEU) removed vendors occupying several areas of the Bacolod Public Plaza and the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC)./WDJ