BACOLOD City – Citing the sentiments of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on disallowing the utilization of Bacolod Public Plaza for trade fairs, will the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approve the request of the Diocese of Bacolod to hold one?
To note, the Diocese owns a portion of the plaza.
In a letter to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran dated Feb. 15, Bishop Patricio Buzon said: “If the City of Bacolod will continue to allow businesses in the public plaza, then we wish to inform you that the Roman Catholic Bishop of Bacolod plans to use its own property at the plaza for a trade fair on souvenir items and dry goods from March 15 to May 15, 2024.”
The portion being said covers the sidewalk along the streets of Gatuslao and Rizal.
“Whatever donation we can get from this fair will surely go a long way in providing medical care for our retired and ailing priests residing at Domus Dei, Silay City,” the letter added.
But Benitez voiced out earlier that he might not recommend approval to the city council.
“I’m inclined not to allow the vendors; we would like the plaza to have the prestige and beautiful visual that we will see,” the local chief executive said.
This also follows the city government’s plan to rehabilitate the plaza.
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority of the Department of Tourism will be providing P300 million, and the city is now in the process of complying with the requirements for the rehabilitation to start this year.
According to the mayor, he already discussed the matter with the Diocese.
“I told him (the Bishop) that we will find ways on how we can help them because the funds they will generate from the trade fair will be for their retirement expenses,” Benitez said.
Familiaran said Buzon’s letter will be taken up today, Feb. 28, during the SP’s regular session./PN
