The Bacolod City government is providing assistance to the tenants of Manokan Country, Bacolod’s famous row of chicken inasal restaurants, to attract customers while its multi-billion redevelopment being undertaken by SM Prime Holdings Inc. gets underway.
Councilor Celia Matea Flor, chairperson of the city council committee on markets, said on Tuesday, February 4, that food vouchers amounting to P500,000 have already been printed and distributed through the city councilors.
“This is a personal expense of the mayor,” she added.
The food vouchers, worth P150 each, were provided by the mayor in response to the concern raised by the tenants that they would have a hard time attracting customers if they moved out from their stalls at the Reclamation Area that they are leasing from the city government.
Last week, some 24 affected tenants eventually started to occupy the temporary stalls provided by the developer at the SM City Bacolod terminal hub just across the Manokan Country site.
This would give way to the demolition of the old Manokan structure, which is part of the Manokan Country Redevelopment Project as provided in the multibillion-peso contract entered into by the city government and SM Prime in October 2023.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the SM Prime will board up the site for demolition within the month.
During his visit to the city for the 29th Bacolaodiat Festival last week, SM Prime chairman Hans Sy said one of the key initiatives they are proud to support is the redevelopment of Manokan Country.
“A revitalized Manokan Country will ensure that it remains a beacon for tourism and a source for economic progress for its community of tenants who have made it a cherished part of Bacolod’s heritage,” the tycoon said.
He added the redevelopment of Manokan Country is “more than just a structural upgrade, it is a step towards preserving Bacolod’s traditions while embracing its potential as a world-class city.”
“Our commitment to the growth and well-being of Manokan’s tenants is firm — we will provide financial literacy workshops, safer, new and more sustainable facilities and a beautiful building that will surely bring in customers,” Sy said. (PNA)