Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia leaves the decision to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to allow vendors’ operation in the downtown area during the holiday season.

If the DILG approves, the vendors will be allowed to sell in the areas of the Bacolod Public Plaza and the Old Bacolod City Hall, Leonardia said.

Three vendors associations in Bacolod have earlier asked permission from the mayor to operate in the said areas in the month of December.

Leonardia said that he will follow-up with the DILG’s opinions on the matter.

The city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), meanwhile, have reportedly denied the request as it would violate the DILG memorandum circular ordering the clearing of all illegal structures and road obstructions in accordance to the order made by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Market Coordinating and Monitoring Task Force head, Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda had earlier stated the vendors will only be allowed to sell in the downtown area if the SP will allow it./DGB, WDJ