BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia urged the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to arrest erring sidewalk vendors who insist to go back to the downtown area.

The mayor said on Monday, December 16, that after the demolition of the illegal structures at the downtown area, they had an arrangement with the BCPO that the latter will be in charge of arresting erring vendors.

"This is the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) circular and the police is part of the DILG. So the setup, supposedly by this time, is it's the job of the police to monitor them in the area," he said.

Leonardia pointed out that the City Government did not allow the vendors to go back to the downtown area.

The mayor noted that he earlier issued an executive order (EO) establishing the "Paskwa sa Plaza" at the Bacolod Public Plaza and its surrounding parking areas and creating a committee to recommend guidelines and oversee its smooth and orderly operations.

The EO stated that in balancing the mandate of the DILG in its Memorandum Circular 2019-13 and the purposes mentioned in the proceeding paragraphs, a "Paskwa sa Plaza" shall temporarily be established at the Bacolod Public Plaza and its surrounding areas for the duration of the Christmas season from December 3, 2019 to January 6, 2020.

Ernesto Pineda, chief coordinator of Market Coordinating and Monitoring Task Force, said that about 135 vendors already secured a special permit to sell at the public plaza.

"It's our way to accommodate our vendors who were affected by the demolition and we will prioritize them," he said.

Pineda added that activities will also be held at the public plaza.

The activities for the Bacolod Paskwa sa Plaza include Christmas presentations and entertainment, as well as the display and selling of local products and wares of marginalized vendors, and the conduct of other activities as may be recommended by the committee.

Councilor Israel Salanga, chairperson of the City Council committee on tourism, said there will be activities at the public plaza every night.

He said there will be cultural events and rides in the area.