With the rehabilitation of the Bacolod Public Plaza nearing completion, Mayor Greg Gasataya led the turnover of newly refurbished G-Carts (Government Carts) to 31 plaza vendors on Thursday, May 28.
The initiative aims to uplift the livelihood of vendors while contributing to a more colorful and greener urban landscape for the city’s iconic public space, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
“Let’s uplift the dignity of our plaza vendors, as well as other nearby vendors,” Gasataya said, emphasizing the city’s efforts to create a better environment for everyone instead of relocating the vendors.
“We do not intend to disrupt the livelihood of our vendors at the plaza. What we want is to provide them with proper venues where everyone can benefit while improving their means of livelihood,” he added.
Members and officers of the Bacolod City Public Vendors Association (BACPUVA) expressed excitement as they received their G-Carts.
Each food cart, worth P15,000, was provided free of charge to the vendors. The carts are equipped with wheels for mobility, storage compartments, and solar lights.
Gloria Castillano, president of the Bacolod City Public Vendors Association (BACPUVA), thanked the mayor for finally fulfilling their longtime dream of being recognized rather than being looked down upon for illegally vending and allegedly obstructing pathways within the plaza.
The city is also working on the issuance of special permits for the vendors.
Gasataya stressed that it is only fitting to protect vendors and support the place where business and economic activity in the city first flourished.
The mayor expects the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Bacolod Public Plaza, being undertaken by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), to be completed by July this year, in time for preparations ahead of the MassKara Festival in October.*
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