City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said they served the notice to pay and vacate to stall awardees Gregorio Dima-ala, that was occupied by Rosenie Jaranilla, and Carmen Velez that was also occupied by Annaly Penaflorida.
Based on the compromise agreement on October 3, 2022, the tenants agreed to pay their P25,000 per month arrears.
But the two tenants failed to pay the two monthly installments as of January 10.
In its notice, Dima-ala or Jaranilla was given 15 days to vacate the premises and demanded to pay their arrears of P660,543.20, while Velez or Penaflorida was also demanded to pay the amount of P687,680.95 rental arrears.
“If they can pay their arrears in full amount, they can continue their operation and they can process their business permit,” Ting said.
But if they fail to do so, the city will close their stalls, he added.
On October 3, 2022, due to their failure to settle their dues, 15 stalls at the Manokan Country were shut down by the CLO. The stall owners failed to secure sanitary and business permits, which violated the City Ordinance No. 565 Series of 2011.
They resumed their operations after they signed a compromise agreement with the CTO to pay their arrears.
Manokan Country is a row of restaurants selling grilled foods, especially the famous Bacolod chicken inasal, is situated on city-owned property at the Reclamation Area right across SM City Bacolod.
For her part, Jaranilla also admitted that they failed to pay their arrears and they also stopped their operation in November 2022.
Jaranilla said they will appeal again to the CLO and CTO to give them a chance to pay their arrears this month.
Conchita Veloria, who received the notice for her employer Penaflorida, said they also stopped their operation since Monday and its employer also tried their best to pay their arrears.
Beth Jaranilla, cousin of Rosenie, also said they are asking for the assistance of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to help their situation at the Manokan Country.
She said on December 22, 2022, her sister, Corazon Villando, one of the tenants at the Manokan Country, died because of their problem regarding their arrears.
“She is really worried about their arrears and it worsened her illness. We are hopeful that Mayor Benitez will help us,” she added.*