By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

The Bacolod City government will still require vendors at the Asenso Market in Barangay Alijis to secure special permits despite the issuance of a temporary permit as requested by village captain Deogracias de la Vega.

“The city council approved the extension of their operation, but that does not mean they are exempt from securing a special permit like other businesses in the city,” Mayor Greg Gasataya said.

On June 1, the City Legal Office (CLO) served demand letters, or notices to vacate, to 27 stall owners at the Asenso Market.

CLO chief Karol Joseph Chiu earlier said that they sent a letter to De La Vega, directing him to remove 51 permanent stalls in the area.

Chiu said 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 use of stalls and portions of a public road and sidewalk from March 26 to May 31.

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

“[And also] no corresponding permit was issued by the proper authorities,” he added.

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

The deadline lapsed on Wednesday, June 10.

Meanwhile, Gasataya said the stall owners met with Chiu on Wednesday, and voluntarily committed to clearing the area.

He added that the city government would review the resolution approved by the city council.

For his part, De La Vega expressed gratitude to the city council for granting a 90-day extension for the market’s operation.

De La Vega said that the vendors occupy the sidewalk, not the main road.

He explained that most of the vendors came from Bangga Cory, where they were displaced due to the construction of a new building in the area.

“To help them continue their livelihood, we allowed them to use the sidewalk in Barangay Alijis,” he said.

De La Vega also admitted that they failed to secure a special permit in March.

However, he said he would now require the vendors to process their permits at the Bacolod City Government Center.

He added that the barangay, with assistance from the city government, is facilitating the purchase of a lot in Barangay Alijis to relocate the affected vendors./MAP, WDJ