By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The proposed renovation of the Burgos Public Market faces uncertainty after some vendors expressed disapproval of the city’s plan during a meeting with Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez over the weekend.
Benitez met with the vendors last Saturday to listen to their sentiments and concerns, aiming to address them and pave the way for the market renovation, considering the allocated budget of P525 million.
The fund forms part of the P4.4 billion approved loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
In a media interview yesterday, Benitez said the vendors indicated they do not want the market to be renovated.
“I asked them, if you don’t like the design, what do you want? Tell me what you want,” he added.
Benitez emphasized that this opportunity is a chance for the vendors to have their input recognized, acknowledging the significance of public markets.
“I do not know if there’s politics behind this. But the goal here is to help improve the market,” Benitez said.
The officers and leaders of Burgos Public Market have given their members the authority to decide on the project. “If they feel that this could not help them, so be it,” he added.
The vendors have until May 27 to decide on the matter.
Despite this, Benitez expressed uncertainty if the other vendors would allow the project to proceed.
“Kung indi sila, te indi sila eh,” he remarked in Hiligaynon, meaning “If they don’t want it, then they don’t.”
“If they don’t want to have it improved for whatever reasons, we will find other projects where we can put the resources,” the mayor said, adding that this consideration is not limited to a possible renovation of two other public markets in the city.
The City Engineer’s Office previously submitted the proposed design for the Burgos Public Market, which can accommodate approximately 726 stalls across various sections, including dry goods, vegetables, meat, fish, food court, and night market stalls.
If all requirements are met, construction is slated to commence in July or August this year.
The Burgos Public Market is one of the three major public markets in Bacolod City, situated in the northern part of the city. The market underwent rehabilitation under the previous administration in 2022.
Currently, the market occupies an 8,000-square-meter lot and has more than 700 stalls.
