This Week in Bacolod (December 1 to 7, 2019)

On Sunday, December 1, expect pleasant weather in Bacolod City. Enjoy this day with family and friends while doing outdoor activities like a road trip to the nearest tourist spots. For the first half of the work week, cloudy and spotty showers will likely develop, so don’t forget to ready your umbrella to keep you dry in those days. The weather after Wednesday, December 4, will improve with sunny mornings, but clouds will be present in afternoons with some showers. This week’s temperature will range from 29 °C to 32 °C [1].

Legal opinion from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was sought by the City Government of Bacolod on whether vendors should be allowed to sell at the downtown area and in Bacolod Public Plaza this holiday season, specifically from December 1 to 31 [2]. This was done following the appeal of the vendors’ association.

The president of the Bacolod Downtown Vendors Association (Bacodva), Victoria Amolato, said they asked Mayor Evelio Leonardia to allow them to sell in the areas of Gonzaga, Gatuslao, Luzuriaga, Araneta and Bonifacio Streets from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the said dates. Amolato said that they will comply with the regulations, including the cleanliness and peace and order in the said areas once this appeal is approved.

Over the years, Bacolod has been steadily attracting locals and foreigners alike through its tourist destinations. For this reason, well-known hotels have also gained confidence to expand their businesses in Bacolod City. One of the biggest hotel groups in the country, the Radisson Hotel Group, has expressed its interest to come and invest in Bacolod City as well as in Cebu.

The group plans a development with interesting features which is set to rise by 2022 [3]. According to the Radisson Hotel Group Vice President for Operations in Southeast Asia and Pacific Andre de Jong, the expansion would comprise of two phases. He also announced that there will be a five-year transformational plan under the so-called “Destination 2022” program.

The buying and selling of firecrackers this coming holidays will be regulated by the local government, headed by the Task Force Paputok. This is based on Memorandum No. 160 issued by City Acting Mayor El Cid Familiaran last November 11. Those who want to sell firecrackers and pyrotechnics have to display their products behind the Pope John Paul Tower at the reclamation area in the city.

The task force shall coordinate with the different offices or agencies. The memorandum also states that Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda, chief coordinator of the Market Coordinating and Monitoring Task Force, shall coordinate with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). This coordination will ensure the proper implementation and regulation of security and safety of the area during this holiday season [4].

Pineda was also directed to coordinate with the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) in carrying out traffic plans into effect. Meanwhile, the role of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is to ascertain the standard quality of the product and correct labeling as well. The Permits and Licensing Division and City Treasurer’s Office will ensure that all corresponding permits and licenses shall be duly applied with and paid for. Lastly, the Department of Public Services and City Legal Office will handle the cleanliness and collection of trash while the activity is ongoing.

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