The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has endorsed the requests of firecrackers and sidewalk vendors to sell their goods this Christmas season to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for its comment.
Bacolod City Fireworks and Firecrackers Vendors Association (BCFFVA) president Alan Pacheco has requested permission from the Bacolod City government to use the designated area for firecrackers display behind the St. John Paul II Tower at the Reclamation Area.
In his letter to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran dated Dec. 4, Pacheco assured the city government that they will strictly comply with the health protocols, and the rules and regulations set by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
In a joint letter to Familiaran dated Dec. 4, Bacolod Public Plaza Fruit Vendors president Norayda Senoro, BGVA president Marites Lee, and Bacodva president Ma. Myrna Decolongon proposed to hold a Christmas Trade Fair at the Bacolod public plaza from Dec. 10 to January 6, 2021.
They requested permission to use the parking areas surrounding the plaza, that include San Juan Street, Gonzaga Street, a portion of Gatuslao Street, and the oval area at the plaza.
They said they believe that through the Vendors’ Christmas Bazaar, the city will be able to provide an opportunity for the less privileged vendors and the marginalized sector to display and sell their goods.
Meanwhile, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said they are prepared to allow the fireworks vendors to sell fireworks and pyrotechnics at the Reclamation Area on the assumption that they follow previous protocols.
Leonardia said executive assistant Ernie Pineda has already met with the fireworks vendors and they will be getting instructions from the police.
The mayor said he has also instructed Pineda to accommodate the sidewalk vendors to occupy the walkway surrounding the Bacolod Plaza under certain regulations.
The Diocese of Bacolod had also earlier requested to use the portion of the plaza that belongs to the Church, he said, adding that they are entitled to it. Leonardia said that since it is Christmas season and businesses have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, they will allow the vendors to use the plaza to give them a chance to sell, and they will also coordinate with the Department of Interior and Local Government on the matter.*CGS
