REHABILITATION of Cogon and Carmen markets will soon begin after Cagayan de Oro City officials found the need of the markets to get major renovation.
Last month, the City Government held a joint inspection at the public markets led by the City Health Office, City Veterinary Office and Task Force Hapsay Merkado.
Dr. Fe Bongcas, City Health Office chief, said there is still much to change at the public markets with regard to hygiene and neatness.
“The food preparations, presentations, even the washing and cleaning of their stalls should be given attention. The drainage system is also clogged due to garbage. That is a potential area for mosquitos to lay eggs,” Bongcas said.
The City Government also plans to improve the drainage system of Cogon market since it has been creating water puddles that bring in more dirt.
Meanwhile, Carmen market’s drainage system is set to be rehabilitated starting in December, the City Economic and Enterprise Department (CEED) confirmed.
For Teresa Canales, a fish vendor for four years, the rehabilitation is just another promise to them that will not push through.
“Dugay na kaayo mi gapamaligya diri dugay na sad kaayo na ang drainage nga problema diha. Nahurot na among laom dinhi maong dili na mi magdahom nga mahimo pa na (We have been selling here for a long time, and that drainage problem has long been here. Our hopes had died down and we no longer expect for it to happen),” Canales said.
“Naa nay pondo ana nga P410,000, ug hapit nasad ma kumpleto ang requirements so masugdan na gyud na siya sa dili pa mu dugay (The P410,000 fund is already available and the requirements are near completion so we can start it soon),” Engr. Peter Abejuela of CEED said in answer to Canales’ statement.
Despite the market vendors’ dismay over the current situation of the drainage, they still hope the market will become better since it will bring in more customers.
CEED is also undergoing clearing and re-sectioning at Cogon market.]
“Diri sa Cogon, kamulo namo gina-clear ang mga stall nga walay sulod kay among ipa-balhin tung mga naa sa gawas dinhi, kay kana sila sa gawas illegal kana sila diha. Maningkamot mi nga ma-organized and hapsay ang merkado aron manganhi diri ang mamalitay ug makatabang sa atong mga vendors (Here in Cogon, we are clearing the empty stalls to transfer those who are selling outside because they are illegal. We vow to organize and systematize the markets so that buyers will be enticed to buy and help the vendors),” Abejuela said.
The vendors are also urged to cooperate by ensuring that the goods they sell are presentable, cleaning their utensils and stalls and sweeping their area to help with the cleanliness and attain an organized and clean public markets.