THE SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI) presented its project proposal to develop the Manokan Country through the public-private-partnership-program (PPPP) to Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez Wednesday, February 1, at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III said.

Maghari said it was an updated proposal of the SPHI to develop the area, which is across its mall, with a parking space on the second floor.

"They will develop the Manokan Country including the Vendor's Plaza near the area," he said.

Maghari noted that the Manokan Country building was constructed in the 1990s and it needs to be developed as one of the tourism spots of Bacolod.

The SPHI proposal is still subject to a Swiss challenge, and once it will be awarded to the winning proponent, the construction of the project will start this year, Maghari said.

He said the City Government will also prioritize the tenants of the Manokan Country once it will be implemented, adding that they will also pay the rent to the operator of the project.

"Whoever wins will pay the lease to the city and the tenants of the building will pay the operator. This will be a long-term PPPP," he added.

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.