By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The local government here is targeting to start the construction of the new Burgos Public Market next year.
City Engineer Loben Raphael Ceballos, in a media interview, said that a budget of P525 million was allocated for the said project, which is part of the city’s loan.
Ceballos said the new concept or design for the said two-story market includes a terminal for the Granada and Alangilan routes, a covered parking space, a food court, and additional stalls.
“Once this becomes successful, the design will be replicated in other public markets,” he added.
Ceballos said the Burgos market was prioritized for this project because it is an ideal structure to be a model for the renovation.
Ceballos also pointed out that affected vendors will be temporarily transferred to a two-hectare property owned by the Yanson family in Barangay 19, which is adjacent to the market.
“Si Mayor (Alfredo “Albee” Benitez) ga plano na ilease ang property sa pihak while ongoing ang construction para indi sila (vendors) matam-an sa dislocation,” he added.
Ceballos said the city will build temporary facilities for all the vendors so that they can continue with their businesses.
He said the project is expected to be completed in 18 months, including the temporary facilities.
“If everything goes well, we expect, puwede na maka bid by January,” he said.
Currently, the market occupies an 8,000 square meter lot, and has more than 700 stalls, he said.
Aside from the renovation, Ceballos said that they are also planning to convert the new market into a night market, making it a multi-purpose market.
Dry and wet sections will be inside the market, with good air circulation, he said.
He said the rent for the stalls will be the concern of the Market Committee, but he said that there’s a possibility that it may increase, considering the improved facilities next year.
A total of P150 million was allocated by the national government, through the Department of Budget and Management, to complete the rehabilitation of the three major public markets here early last year, under the previous administration.
The two other major markets here are the Central Public Market and Libertad Public Market.
