A FIVE-DAY consultative meeting is presently conducted by the City Government to hear the Iloilo Central Market vendors and stakeholders’ suggestions and sentiments in line with the proposed redevelopment project.
The project aims to address the present condition of the market that includes the deteriorating heritage building, congested traffic and illegal parking, lack of water supply, insufficient lighting, poor sanitation and ventilation, inadequate space for mobility due to overcrowding, and decline of marketability and economy.
READ: City wants to rehabilitate Central Market
During the meeting the vendors raised their difficulties in the market, while having discussions of the proposed new design to be implemented on the Central Market.
Marcial Jocson Jr., a rice and grains stall owner at the Central Market, said during the meeting on November 12 that he seeks assurance of the redevelopment project implementation as it might be affected due to the influence of election period that will occur in 2019.
“I want an assurance nga ini nga mga occupants, regardless (of) who will be the next mayor in 2019 election, ini nga mga tawo naproteksyunan. Kay ‘ti parehas ‘day attorney (City Administrator Hernando Galvez) appointed man lang sila mu. Pag bag-o mayor, lain naman,” he stressed.
(I want an assurance that these occupants, regardless of who will be the next mayor in 2019 election, these individuals are protected. Similar to attorney (Galvez), they were only appointed. If there will be a newly elected mayor, it will change.)
Jocson hopes that it should be embedded through an ordinance, and put into “binding” or contract with the existing occupants of the market for the pursuance of the project, even if there will be a change in administration.
“Whoever will be the next mayor of Iloilo City, they cannot say that they will insert a new project,” Jocson added.
He expressed that they will support the project as long as it will aid and enhance the situation of the market.
The vendors perceived that the new innovations of the proposed market will revive the city, as there will be spaces available to be rented and occupied by the private sectors or business process outsourcing companies.
A total of 209 transient vendors attended the meeting with the participation of other market sectors and stakeholders on November 12, while there were about 70 individuals on the meat, fish, dried fish, rice and grain sections who attended on November 13.
The City Government will continue the meeting on November 14 with the stall owners or vendors of the peripheral and second-floor sections; while on November 15 with dry goods, grocery and variety sections; and on November 16 with the eatery section, flower vendors, fruits and vegetables. All meetings will be held at the Ker and Co. Building at 2 p.m. (Carolyn Jane Abello)