The Bacolod City Legal Office closed down the Manokan Country, a tourist attraction famous for its chicken inasal (grilled chicken), on Tuesday, July 16, to make way for the construction of a new building.
Councilor Celia Flor, chairperson of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouse, said the 24 Manokan Country tenants signed a letter of intent on Monday stating that they agree to transfer to the temporary site being offered to them.
The tenants also promised to process the transfer of their water and electricity connections to the temporary site that is just across the street from the Manokan Country, Flor said.
About 10 tenants who have not paid their rent will not be allowed to transfer to the temporary site until they pay, but spaces will be reserved for them, she said.
The tenants have asked for a dialog with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez that is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Flor said.
On Tuesday night the tenants lighted candles and held a prayer vigil in front of the Manokan Country.
The 24 tenants of the Manokan Country were earlier asked to move to a temporary site at the SM parking lot that would be made available to them rent free while the building that would house the new Manokan Country is being constructed by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI).
SMPHI has leased the property where the Manokan Country is located from the city government with the agreement that it will provide spaces for the current tenants in the new building.
Those who move to the temporary site will be allotted spaces at the new Manokan building when it is completed, Flor said.
The mayor, on Monday, said he was ordering the closure of the Manokan Country after the tenants failed to comply with an agreement to transfer, despite several deadline extensions that have lasted for months.
Chicken supply was still being delivered to the Manokan Country tenants on Tuesday morning and some were still serving customers at noon despite the yellow caution tape in front of their establishments.
Romeo Carlos Ting, Bacolod City Legal Officer, said water and electricity at the Manokan Country would be cut off.
The Fr. Mauricio Ferrero Street fronting the Manokan Country was closed on Monday.*