The Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) has handed down a final notice or demand letter to 17 tenants of the Manokan Country who have delinquent accounts to the city government on Friday, August 26.
The serving of the notice was a collaborative effort headed by CLO together with the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), Permits and Licensing Division, and Socio-Economic Enterprise Unit – Markets.
Upon serving the letter which was signed by City Legal Officer Atty. Carlos Romeo M. Ting, Jr., legal assistant April Rose Mae B. Morada reminded stall owners and representatives that they only have until the end of September to settle their accounts.
Failure on their part to do so will result in the closure of their business establishments, the notice stated.
Appropriate legal action will also be taken against stall owners for violating City Ordinance No. 565 series of 2011, the notice added.
Stall owners were also told to visit the CTO if they have questions regarding their respective unpaid accounts.
Meanwhile, aside from delinquent accounts, two stall owners were also given final notice because of their failure to secure the latest business permits for their operation.
Members of the Bacolod City Police Office were also present to assist in serving the letter.
Meanwhile, the Manokan Country Vendors Association is appealing to Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez to give them enough time to settle their long overdue accounts.
David Montoya, president of the vendors association, said that they were sad after receiving the final notice since MassKara Festival is coming.
“Gusto namon nga mahatagan time nga maka-meeting sa kay mayor para mag-ayo nga hatagan kami sang enough time nga ma-settle namun ang amon account, kay gulpyada lang ila pagkadto sa amon kag wala kami naka preparar,” he said.
He added that they never expected that the city government will serve the final notice because they earlier held a dialogue with city councilor Celia Flor, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on markets, wherein she said she will propose an ordinance for the condonation of the vendors’ penalties.
Montoya further said that they are waiting for passage of the said ordinance so that they can settle their dues at the CTO. /WDJ