BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
BACOLOD City – The Libertad Public Market, one of the three major public markets in this city, needs a budget of P1 million for the repair of its roofs, according to the City Engineer’s Office.
Engr. Loben Raphael Ceballos, head of the City Engineer’s Office, said they have been receiving complaints regarding the leaking roofs of the market.
“The roofs leak, particularly at the fish section, every time it rains,” said Ceballos.
He also said that aside from the Libertad market, the other two – Burgos and Central markets – also need rehabilitation.
Last year, the city has allocated P525 million for the rehabilitation of the Burgos market, sourced from the P4.4 billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines.
In January this year, the city government has ruled out the plan to construct a new Burgos market.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez disclosed in January that the city government’s plan to establish a new Burgos market through a public-private partnership (PPP) will not push through.
The owner of the lot where market occupants would transfer during the construction was not amenable to the proposal of the city.
The city had proposed to the owner of the lot a PPP, but the property owner declined, the mayor said./PN
