By JEN BAYLON

The Bacolod City Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) continues to intensify its clearing operations at the Bacolod Public Plaza after more than 100 illegal vendors, barkers and homeless individuals were apprehended on its first day of operations on Thursday, September 26.

POSO head Primitivo Tabujara said they will keep a close watch on the plaza to restore order and safety in the area.

More than 100 individuals — composed of 15 ambulant vendors, 30 barkers, 10 massage therapists, and 20 manicurists — who had no permits, received a warning to stop engaging in business in the plaza.

Sixteen homeless persons, about half of them were not residents of Bacolod, were turned over to the Department of Social Services and Development Office.

Some chairs, tables and grocery items were confiscated from the vendors, complaining that they were not given an opportunity to pack up things even though they have been there for a long time.

Tabujara noted that some vendors lacked permits from the city government, while some of them were using makeshift benches that obstructed the walkways.

The POSO plans to address the presence of sex workers at the plaza, emphasizing the city government’s goal to ensure a peaceful environment for residents and visitors, including tourists.

It can be recalled that a manicurist was stabbed to death by her fellow manicurist during an altercation over a customer in the public plaza last September 17.

Police said the 35-year-old female manicurist and the victim argued about a customer until the suspect stabbed the victim with a knife.

She sustained two stab wounds in the chest and passed away hours later./JB, WDJ