Councilor asks Silay mayor to address vendors’ concerns on P300-M public market renovation

Silay City Councilor Ryan Gamboa is asking Mayor Joedith Gallego to first address the concerns of the vendors and other stakeholders before implementing the P300 million renovation of the local public market.

"I sympathize with the vendors because it's their livelihood that will be affected, and their concerns are valid," Gamboa said Thursday, September 14.

Gamboa said he, along with Councilor Max Javelona, abstained from voting during the ratification of the contract between the Silay City Government and Landbank of the Philippines for the P300 million loan agreement because he had several questions that were not answered by the representatives of the mayor.

"They just gave the drawing and the floor plan, but the documents I was asking for pertaining to the bidding conducted, which were necessary for the ratification of contracts, were not given to us, and they don't address several questions, especially those coming from the vendors," Gamboa explained.

He added, "We want transparency; that's why we're asking for the documents."

"The mayor's representatives said they already answered the concerns of some vendors, however, several vendors said their questions were not answered, like where they would be relocated because the renovation would take two years or even longer," Gamboa further said.

There is also no concrete plan for the terminal's relocation, Gamboa added.

Gamboa made the reaction after some vendors and stakeholders came out on Wednesday, September 13, with an open letter addressed to Gallego.

They are asking the mayor to postpone the demolition of the public market until end of this year, as they believe that the “ber” months have already started and this is only the season where they expect better sales compared to other previous months.

Gamboa said the P300 million for the renovation of the public market is part of the loan package acquired by the city government, amounting to a total of P1.4 billion.

Other projects would include construction of a city college, sports complex, and the new city hall, which he also opposed.

When asked for his reaction, Gallego said everything was clearly presented to the vendors and that the area where they will be temporarily relocated has not been constructed yet.

"There is still a banning period, and the transfer may be held in November or next year," Gallego said.

He added, "This is only temporary. Only a few tenants are complaining," adding, that they are still planning the relocation of the vendors.

"This is for the good of the entire Silay City," he added.*