MODERN, clean and organized.

This was how Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. described the new Apalit Public Market, which was officially opened to public on Sunday, October 10.

The facility, which is located some 500 meters from the old one, has more than 500 stalls with stainless tabletops, tiled floors, specific area for ambulant vendors, bathroom with shower area, and several parking slots and a transport hub.

The new public market is also equipped with closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and water sprinklers, and has its own food court and provision for an event center on its second floor.

"Itong mga vendors natin nakaorganize per section, para hindi malito ang mga mamalengke at hindi pakalat-kalat ang tinda. First class municipality ang Apalit so dapat lang first class din ang aming facilities," Tetangco said.

Tetangco also expressed gratitude to Vice Mayor Peter Nucom and Councilor Edmon Simon, who pushed for the construction of the facility despite the opposition it received then from market vendors and some residents.

"Iyong lumang palengke naitayo 33 years ago at project ng tatay ko na mayor noon. Kung tutuusin dapat gusto ko magstay yon pero dahil nakikita ko na kailangan na at deserve ng Apaliteños ng bago at magandag palengke, sinuportahan natin itong project," he said.

Meanwhile, Nucom said the opening of the new facility is the realization of his dream of providing a modernized and organized public market for Apaliteños.

It could be remembered that it was during Nucom's administration when the relocation of the public market was proposed and started construction.

"Alam natin na ang usaping palengke ay parating masalimuot pero nakita natin ang pangangailangan para sa mga vendors, sa mga tao at para sa progreso pa ng bayan," he said.

He also assured that no supermart will rise at the site of the old public market to prevent competition with the market vendors.

Simon, chairman of Public Market and Slaughterhouse, vowed to craft an ordinance that will further protect the interest of market vendors without harming consumers.

"Bilang nakipaglaban para maipatayo itong palengke, mas obligasyon ako sa mga vendors natin at sa mga tao na siguruhin mapoprotektahan ang kanila interes dahil iyon ang ipinangako namin sa kanila noong ipinopropose namin ito," he said.

The New Apalit Public Market was constructed through a public-private partnership program with the Organized Market Corporation.