THE flower vendors at the Bacolod public plaza are appealing to the city officials to allow them to stay in the area and continue with their business.

Pacito Macatigos, vice president of the flower vendors association, said yesterday, July 9, they are not in favor to the plan of the City Government to transfer their stalls behind the Bacolod Arts and Youth Sports (Bays) center, but they already received the letter from the City Government Sunday, July 8.

“The relocation area is too hot and without trees to shade our flowers, but if that is the decision the city and the Diocese of Bacolod, we cannot do anything but to respect their decision,” he said.

He added they are appealing to Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and the members of the City Council to give them a chance to stay in the area.

The flower vendors are occupying 18 stalls in the plaza, and they are giving donations to the Diocese, which owns the portion of public plaza being occupied by the vendors, at P50 per day.

The City Council had earlier approved a resolution requesting Mayor Leonardia through the City Legal Office-Enforcement Team to implement the relocation of flower vendors.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Em Ang, stated that there is a need to relocate the flower vendors in order to allow the full implementation of the rehabilitation, improvement, and beautification of the public plaza pursuant to the plans designed by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO).

City Administrator John Orola already ordered the CEO to clear the relocation area for the flower vendors behind at the Bays Center.

He said the flower vendors also agreed that they will transfer behind at the Bays Center and it’s only temporary because the city will find a new place for them.

He added that the Diocese issued a usufruct agreement to the City Government to manage the public plaza.

Macatigos said they have been selling at the public plaza for almost 40 years and it is their source of income to support their families.

“If the city wants to improve the plaza, we are also willing to develop the area and to maintain the cleanliness,” he added.

Macatigos disclosed that they are also open to having a dialogue with the city officials so they can explain their side.