Friday, October 12, 2007 P20 million needed to modernize public markets By Grace L. Plata
A CONSERVATIVE estimate of P20 million is needed to modernize Davao City's public market system, which is made up of nine public markets.
City Economic Enterprises Chief Francisco Vales Jr. said the cost is expected to increase especially since no major repairs had been made on the structures since they were built. The newest among the nine is in Bunawan and it was built seven years ago.
Vales said minor repairs such as replacement of decaying roof and leaking drainage pipes have been done funded by profits from the market operations. The funding, however, is not enough to undergo a total overhaul of any of the markets.
"Ang surplus, gina-divide na cya among the nine markets for the projects that need immediate response to keep these markets functional," Vales said.
The modernization of the public markets is being eyed by the Davao City Council to generate more revenues, provide more livelihood programs, and make public markets attractive not only to local consumers but to visitors as well.
A resolution proposed by City Councilor Peter Laviña requests the Local Market Committee composed of the City Administrator, the council committee on public enterprises chair, City Treasurer, and City Legal Office to study and formulate a program for the undertaking.
Vales said the city should hire a consultant if it aims to realize the changes that are eyed by the City Council which are to upgrade the markets in terms of revenue generation and attractiveness to consumers and making them at par with privately owned and managed shopping malls.
He added that this would definitely help the city and the masses that patronize the markets but the question would be whether the city can afford the expense that the project is expected to incur.
