By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

The Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) served demand letters or notices to vacate against 21 stall owners at the Asenso Market in Bacolod City’s Barangay Alijis on Monday, June 1.

City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu said they also sent a letter to Barangay Alijis Captain Deogracias dela Vega to remove 51 permanent stalls in the area.

Chiu added that some tenants were occupying more than two stalls in the market.

Based on CLO records, the trade fair conducted by the barangay at Asenso Market involved the stalls and the use of a portion of a public road and sidewalk from March 26 to May 31.

However, Chiu said, despite city council’s approval of their request for road closure and installation of stalls, their records further revealed that no special permit application was filed.

No corresponding permit was issued by the proper authorities, he added.

Chiu stressed that Dela Vega was given 72 hours to explain why the trade fair was allowed to operate without first securing necessary special permits and other required clearances.

All tenants inside the Asenso Market were also directed to immediately dismantle and remove all permanent structures, stalls, extension improvements, or installations currently occupying the market premises and adjacent public areas within 10 days.

He said tenants’ failure to comply will allow concerned authorities to remove such structures without further notice, in addition to the institution of appropriate administrative, civil or other legal actions as may be warranted./MAP, WDJ