KALIBO, Aklan – The phase-by-phase renovation of the decades-old Kalibo public market has yet to begin.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has compounded the delay.
Fire gutted the middle portion of public market in Barangay Andagao last Sept. 15, 2019. It damaged more than 270 stalls valued at P55 million.
Displaced vendors and stall owners temporarily occupied the sidewalks to sell their goods.
Vice Mayor Cynthia Dela Cruz has been pushing for a terminal market site outside Barangay Poblacion and a modern public market in its existing site in Barangay Andagao.
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go pledged P20 million to support the redevelopment of a multi-storey public market.
The Kalibo public market project covered by a Multi-Year Contractual Authority (MYCA) also has a budget of P6 million this year and P34 million next year.
A total of P10 million is also allocated for the repair and rehabilitation of the multi-purpose building.
Councilor Phillip Kimpo said the new Kalibo public market is envisioned to become a new tourism landmark in Aklan.
The Kalibo public market is a favorite go-to place of visitors in Aklan to shop for souvenirs, pasalubong, delicacies and other necessities, he added.
“By transforming the place into a cultural icon worthy of inclusion in must-see places and tour packages, the local government unit of Kalibo is also improving its competitiveness as a tourism and investment destination as a whole,” Kimpo stressed.
The municipal government has identified a temporary relocation site for vendors along Judge Martelino Street in Barangay Andagao./PN
