The Bacolod Public Plaza Economic Enterprise Ordinance he authored was not intended to commercialize the Bacolod public plaza, Bacolod Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez said Saturday.

In his letter dated December 8 to Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Frank Carbon, Lopez said only a small-scale income-generating scheme will be set up at the plaza as requested by the Diocese, to relocate or redesign the affected stalls and flower vendors surrounding it.

The MBCCI and Real Estate Builders Association-Negros Occidental Chapter had objected to the proposed ordinance.

Lopez said there seems to be a misunderstanding on the proposal, and if the Chamber had attended and raised the issue during the committee hearing, their misconception would have been clarified.

He said the Diocese owns part of the public plaza and this request is just an exercise of their right as owners.

Since the beautification of the public plaza will be funded by the Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority, it will be subject to its implementing guidelines, he said.

Lopez said this is also one of the reasons why there is a need to create a revenue generating measure, that is, for maintenance and sustainability of the project.

They also agree that the public plaza and park are for rest, recreation and other activities that promote tourism in the city and should be beyond the commerce of man, Lopez said, claiming that this is the aim of his proposed ordinance.*CGS

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