SM PRIME Holdings Inc. (SMPH) is also proposing to develop the Bacolod Arts and Youth Sports Center (Bays Center) through the public-private-partnership-program (PPPP), Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Wednesday, March 1.

Benitez said the SPHI already presented its project proposal to develop Manokan Country and Vendors’ Plaza through the PPPP, but they also signified their interest in including the Bays Center and the office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

He said they are now in the negotiation process, then they will publish it for the Swiss Challenge, and if there’s no challenge, the city will make a decision.

City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III earlier said it was an updated proposal of the SMPH to develop the area, which is across its mall, with a parking space on the second floor.

"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 said.

He added that the Manokan Country building was constructed in the 1990s and it needs to be developed as one of the tourist spots in Bacolod.

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.

Maghari disclosed that the City Government will also prioritize the tenants of the Manokan Country once it is implemented, adding that they will also pay the rent to the operator of the project.*