Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Gensan public market among the country's best
By Aquiles Zonio
THE General Santos City public market was adjudged as one of the five model public markets throughout the country.
Before leaving for Canada, Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. received a fax message from Agriculture Secretary Menandro Maleon, informing him that the General Santos City Public Market, along with other four public markets in the country, has bagged the plum.
Prior to the search, the Department of Agriculture in Soccsksargen chose General Santos City Public Market to represent the region in the national contest.
Glenn Gonzales, assistant city administrator and at the same time public market overseer, told reporters that the awarding rites would be held in Malacañang.
Aside from the plaque, the City Government will receive a P.5 million cash prize.
Since January this year, Gonzales has implemented drastic changes as far as management of the city public market is concerned.
These include, among others, requiring vendors at the fast food and meat section of the public market to wear hairnet, white t-shirt and apron as uniform.
The public market administrator claimed he implemented this policy not necessarily to win in the contest but to make the public market presentable and convenient place for both the vendors and market-goers.
"Even without the contest, we have to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness in the public market as it is considered the kitchen of our city," Gonzales stressed.
He lauded the public market utility workers, watchmen, vendors and stall-owners, including market-goers for their cooperation in maintaining sanitation and orderliness in the area.
Fourteen local government units submitted entries during the contest.
The four other winners were the public markets of Agdao, Davao City; Pardo, Cebu City; San Fernando, La Union; and Zamboanga City.
Last year, the city also bagged the nationwide Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Award.
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(June 26, 2006 issue)
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