Manokan Country tenants told to be responsible in paying their accounts

BACOLOD City Administrator John Orola said Friday the tenants of Manokan Country should respect the city and be responsible in paying their monthly dues and penalties.

Orola issued the reminder after the Manokan Country Vendors Association asked his brother Councilor Bartolome Orola, chairperson of committee on markets, to conduct a public hearing on the settlement of their accounts.

In his letter dated July 20, association president David Montoya said they are very much willing to attend the hearing and will abide by whatever decision that may be decided regarding their monthly dues and accrued penalties.

The city administrator said he believes the stall holders will ask for another extension to settle their arrears that already reached P6.8 million.

“They should be good citizens, respect the city, and be responsible in their obligations. All of us have an obligation and they should do their part to settle the accounts,” Orola said.

The Commission on Audit and the City Treasurer’s Office had earlier issued a letter stating that the account of the delinquent Manokan Country tenants have reached P6.8 million.

Orola said some of the tenants have arrears as much as P200,000 to P500,000.

“With these arrears, it’s not normal. If they fail to settle their accounts, the City Government will take over their stalls and it will be opened to those who are interested to do a business in the area,” he said.

Orola added that of the 23 stall holders, only three have settled their accounts.

Tenants should be paying a P2, 500 monthly rental for the stall aside from the P200 being collected by the city from each tenant.

Orola said more than 100 individuals already showed their interest to do business in Manokan Country.

Councilor Orola had earlier said that he will hold the public hearing anytime this month.

For his part, Montoya said they are willing to settle their accounts.

He said they are only asking for enough time and they will air their side during the public hearing.

City Treasurer Giovanni Balalilhe confirmed that 18 stall holders have big arrears.

Balalilhe said most of them have arrears of P300,000 to P500, 000.

He said they sent the first notice to the tenants on June.

The tenants were given three days to respond, but most of them still failed to settle their accounts.