A New Opportunity for Qualified Market Vendors
BACOLOD - The Bacolod City Government has started accepting applications for its Market Amnesty Program, providing qualified vendors with an opportunity to regularize the ownership of their market stalls. The program covers eligible vendors operating in Libertad Public Market, Burgos Public Market, Central Market, and the city's iconic Manokan Country. According to City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo, the initiative was established through an ordinance approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod and is intended to address long-standing concerns regarding stall occupancy and documentation. Qualified applicants have a 60-day period to complete and submit the required documents, beginning with a formal Letter of Intent, an Affidavit of Undertaking, and an affidavit confirming that they are the actual occupants of their respective stalls. The application process is designed to recognize legitimate vendors while improving the city's records and management of public market spaces. By providing a structured process for regularization, the city hopes to create a more organized and transparent public market system.
Strengthening Business Security and Market Operations
The Market Amnesty Program is expected to provide qualified vendors with greater stability by allowing them to formalize their occupancy under the city's guidelines. For many small entrepreneurs, securing proper documentation can provide added confidence in operating their businesses while encouraging long-term investment in their market stalls. The initiative also supports the city's efforts to improve market administration by ensuring that records accurately reflect legitimate occupants. Better documentation can contribute to more efficient management of public market facilities and strengthen compliance with local regulations. The program reflects Bacolod's continuing efforts to balance responsible governance with practical support for small business owners. By encouraging vendors to participate, the city also promotes fairness and accountability within its public markets.
Supporting Livelihoods and the Local Economy
Public markets remain an important part of Bacolod's local economy, serving as centers of commerce where residents purchase fresh produce, food products, and other daily necessities. Through the Market Amnesty Program, the city aims to provide vendors with an opportunity to continue operating their businesses under a more secure and organized framework. Stable market operations not only benefit individual entrepreneurs but also contribute to the reliable delivery of goods and services for the community. Supporting market vendors helps sustain employment, encourages entrepreneurship, and strengthens local economic activity. The initiative also recognizes the valuable role that market vendors play in preserving Bacolod's vibrant public market culture. As more qualified vendors complete the application process, the city expects to build a stronger partnership with the people who contribute to its local economy every day.
Building More Organized and Sustainable Public Markets
The opening of applications for the Market Amnesty Program forms part of Bacolod City's broader efforts to modernize the management of its public markets while supporting the welfare of local entrepreneurs. By providing a clear and transparent process for regularizing stall occupancy, the city seeks to improve governance, strengthen accountability, and promote responsible business practices. Organized public markets can create a more efficient environment for vendors, shoppers, and market administrators alike. The initiative also demonstrates the city's commitment to helping small businesses remain an important driver of economic growth while ensuring compliance with local policies. As the application period continues, eligible vendors are encouraged to complete the necessary requirements within the prescribed timeline. Through collaborative efforts between the city government and the vendor community, Bacolod continues to work toward more sustainable, accessible, and well-managed public market facilities.
