The City Government of Bacolod wants to fast track the sale of the Manokan Country property despite strong opposition from tenants and some sectors. Executive Assistant Sarah Esguerra revealed this plan yesterday, saying the local government unit is hopeful the process will be finalized before the end of the year. Mayor Monico Puentevella earlier proposed the disposal of the property where Manokan Country is situated, after he received an unsolicited proposal from SM Prime Holdings Inc. The conglomerate offered to purchase the 17,783 square meter lot at P20,500 per square meter to develop the property into an integrated shopping complex with a transport terminal, hotel, and improved Manokan Country. However, Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the SP Committee on Assets, earlier said the sale should not be rushed because there are a lot of issues which need to be further discussed. Esguerra maintained the sale of Manokan Country is for its modernization. “The mayor has many plans for the booming city,” she shared. Meanwhile, Manokan Country tenants, in their position paper submitted to Councilor Ana Marie Palermo, chairperson of the SP Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Good Government, repeatedly expressed their strong opposition to the city’s privatization efforts. The tenants pointed out that Manokan Country is a place Bacolodnons can be proud of. They also pointed out their sacrifices to sustain their means of living in the area, despite poor revenues sometimes. The tenants emphasized their deficiency in paying the city rental fees is not enough reason for the sale of the Manokan Country because its cultural heritage has been preserved until now. “Why can’t the city make the place a progressive one which could help small entrepreneurs and businessmen instead of selling it for privatization?” they reasoned. IT’S NOT OVER Teresita Mondres, spokesperson for the tenants, said the fight isn’t over yet, as they remain persistent in opposition to City Hall’s plans. “We are not against the development of the Manokan Country but we are strongly opposing the sale of the property,” Mondres stressed. Mondres said they are thankful to the city for its compassion but it does not mean that the government can just do what they want to the property. She said they cannot allow the city to sell the property. COMMITTEE HEARING Palermo, along with Councilors El Cid Familiaran (Chairman of the SP Committee on Urban Poor, Housing and Resettlement) and Alex Paglumotan (Chairman of the SP Committee on Energy and Transportation), conducted a second committee hearing yesterday in the presence of the Manokan Country tenants and other stakeholders. During the committee hearing, issues were raised concerning the relocation of the tenants and informal settlers, appraisal value of the Commission on Audit, deficiency on rental obligation of the tenants to the city, awardees and occupants of the stalls, and other matters. Palermo said more committee hearings must be conducted before making the final decision on the matter. “We cannot even preempt the decision of the SP,” she added./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino
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