By Mae Singuay

The Bacolod City government will prohibit vendors from selling at the city public plaza, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said.

Benitez, in a press briefing on Monday, January 8, said this was part of their discussions about the implementation of ordinances and resolutions during the executive-legislative agenda meeting in Baguio City last week.

The city government will prohibit vendors from selling at the plaza, despite the Diocese of Bacolod owns a portion of it along Rizal Street.

“The plaza should have prestige, nga ang visibility sang plaza naton indi madula. Kay kun magbutang [dira] sang vendors, indi na makita ang plaza. Ang makita na lang ang ginabaligya,” Benitez said.

“We would like to preserve the plaza, aside nga patahumon ta. Indi ta na pag-i-commercialize,” he added.

Benitez said the city government will find alternative locations for vendors.

They granted the diocese’s request last year to allow a group of vendors to sell ready-to-wear clothes at the plaza.

Benitez said the church’s proceeds from the vendors are being used to support their retired priests.

“We will find other forms of support for the church. I understand they do this for fund-raising activity for their retired priests. Pangitaan ta other forms of support para indi sila madulaan income,” Benitez said.

Rows of stalls selling dry goods, such as second-hand and ready-to-wear clothes, and fruit kiosks, surrounded the public plaza last year, which were considered an eyesore./MS, WDJ