Acting Secretary to the Mayor Moises de la Cruz requested the City Legal Office yesterday to demolish the stalls selling “ukay-ukay” or used clothing at the Bacolod Public Plaza after the awardees failed to voluntarily demolish their structures last week.
In his letter to City Legal Office Joselito Bayatan dated December 10, De la Cruz said an order was issued Thursday for the kiosk owners to voluntarily demolish all structures within three days from receipt of notice due to violation, specifically for selling ukay-ukay.
He said the 68 kiosks (along Gatuslao and Gonzaga streets) are still in operation inspite of the demand for the awardees to vacate the place.
Acting Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, however, said that in the spirit of Christmas, he is giving the stall owners until tomorrow to voluntarily demolish their structures.
He said the plaza has become an eyesore because of the structures set up by the awardees selling ukay-ukay and these structures have to be removed for violation of the permit.
Sayson said they have issued guidelines on the matter and the awardees have agreed to abide by it.
Only kiosks selling fruits will remain at the plaza until December 31, as this has been a tradition during the Christmas season, he said.
Sayson said that when he assumed as acting Mayor and City Administrator John Orola Jr. came in, a committee was formed to study the possibility of putting up kiosks at the plaza for the Christmas season.
Since Mayor Evelio Leonardia came back in 2004, they allowed the selling of fruits around the plaza, he said. So the committee also decided to allow the selling of Christmas items like decors or lights, he added.
Sayson said they thought the awardees understood the concept and it was very specific in the permit that no second-hand items like ukay-ukay should be sold.
After their structures are removed, the city will start accepting applications from vendors who will be selling fruits and whatever items the committee has decided upon, he said.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Ernesto Pineda said there are about 90 stalls at the plaza and 68 of them are engaged in ukay-ukay.
De la Cruz said the city will spend for the demolition of these kiosks for violation of their permits.
Meanwhile, Orola said they have plans to enliven the atmosphere in the plaza and brighten up the place.
He said they will also prepare the plaza for the Feast of San Sebastian and the BacoLaodiat next year.*CGS back
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