ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) urged Mayor Jose Espinosa III to allocate more funds for the rehabilitation of the city’s public markets and abattoir, and make this a priority.
The public markets and abattoir are neglected and deteriorating due to and mismanagement, read part of an SP resolution passed recently.
Sponsored by Councilor Armand Parcon, the resolution cited poor structural facilities and equipment in the markets and the slaughterhouse in Barangay Tacas, Jaro district.
At the abattoir, only the boilers were operational, it noted, causing delays and limited slaughtering activities.
This, in turn, resulted to huge losses in monthly revenues, lamented the SP.
Twice the slaughterhouse failed in its accreditation bid with the National Meat Inspection Service.
“Public markets and the abattoir are vital public utilities and economic enterprises” that should contribute to local development, stressed the SP, therefore these must be “kept clean, safe and conducive for the general public at all times.”
According to Councilor Armand Parcon, stakeholders have been complaining of the following:
* leaking roofs
* defective public toilets
* faulty drainage system resulting to the stagnation of wastewater
* poorly maintained wet (fish) sections
* lack of wastewater treatment facilities
* no proper sectioning of markets
* uncooperative market personnel and vendors
* lack of order and discipline
“The city government, with its huge annual executive budget, can best respond to the basic needs of its constituents and sustain the fast pace demands in all aspects of development, including maintenance of its public markets and abattoir,” part of the resolution read.
Councilor Plaridel Nava said a “holistic approach” is needed but wondered if the city government has the money for it.
Iloilo Terminal Market’s rehabilitation alone may cost P300 million, he said./PN
