31 Bacolod Public Plaza Vendors Receive G-Carts from City Gov’t

May 29, 2026

From left to right: Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Gloria Castillano, President of BACPUVA, Brenda Burdeos, Head of the CCLDO, with Mayor Greg Gasataya (center) and City Councilors Celia Flor, Homer Bais, and Wilson Gamboa Jr. during the ceremonial turnover of G-Carts for Bacolod Public Plaza vendors on Thursday, May 28, 2026.*

Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya led the turnover of newly refurbished G-Carts (Government Carts) to 31 plaza vendors on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

The initiative aims to uplift the livelihood of vendors while contributing to a more colorful and greener urban landscape for the Bacolod Public Plaza, the city’s iconic public space the rehabilitation of which is nearing completion.

“Let’s uplift the dignity of our plaza vendors, as well as other nearby vendors,” Gasataya said, emphasizing the city’s efforts to create a better environment for everyone instead of relocating the vendors.

“We do not intend to disrupt the livelihood of our vendors at the plaza. What we want is to provide them with proper venues where everyone can benefit while improving their means of livelihood,” he added.

Members and officers of the Bacolod City Public Vendors Association (BACPUVA) expressed excitement as they received their respective G-Carts.

Each food cart, worth P15,000, was provided free of charge to the vendors. The carts are equipped with wheels for mobility, storage compartments, and solar lights.

Gloria Castillano, president of the Bacolod City Public Vendors Association (BACPUVA), expressed deep gratitude to the mayor for finally fulfilling their longtime dream of being recognized rather than being looked down upon for illegally vending and allegedly obstructing pathways within the plaza.

“For years, we were subjected to removal operations, and many of our products were confiscated or wasted during clearing operations,” Castillano recalled. She and her siblings started selling banana cue and drinks at the plaza in the 1970s.

“But now, we feel protected and grateful for this opportunity to improve our lives through the mayor’s initiative,” she added.

April Rose Mayo, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, explained that the program began when Mayor Gasataya assumed office in July 2025.

Through the City Administrator’s Office, in cooperation with the City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (CCLDO) and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) through the leadership of Ma. Brenda Bordeos the city conducted various livelihood and skills training programs for the vendors. These included dishwashing liquid production, meat processing, handicrafts, seafood and fruit processing, and food preservation.

The city is also working on the issuance of special permits for the vendors.

Mayor Gasataya stressed that it is only fitting to protect vendors and support the place where business and economic activity in the city first flourished.

“We understand that even small businesses need protection and support as we rehabilitate the plaza. We can’t do this alone, but if everyone helps protect the Bacolod Public Plaza, we can achieve more together,” he said.

The mayor expects the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Bacolod Public Plaza, being undertaken by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), to be completed by July this year, in time for preparations ahead of the MassKara Festival in October.* (W/ Bacolod City Communications Office)