KALIBO, Aklan – Mayor Juris Bautista Sucro played down the fears of displacement of Kalibo market vendors once the decade-old market will be fully constructed.
Stakeholders doing business in Kalibo public market are affected by the multi-million redevelopment project of the local government of Kalibo.
Sucro also recalled the Kalibo public market was devastated heavily by fire in September 2019. A ground breaking ceremony took place on March 2023, however, the relocation of vendors caused a huge delay in the timeline of the market construction.
The mayor said the local government secured a loan to finance the development of Kalibo public market.
The new three-storey market will be initially funded for P300 million. It will offer stalls for retail products, fish, meat, fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry and amenities such as restrooms and parking spaces for vendors and marketgoers.
First, affected vendors will be temporarily relocated in Kalibo Eastern Side Terminal in Barangay Andagao to redevelop the existing market before the construction begins.
“We are here to give them (vendors) a long-term solution para sa andang negosyo. Indi sanda mag-pakoeba dahil para man kanda dun,” the mayor pointed out.
Municipal Legal Officer Atty. Joeriel Jimenez also assured there will be no displacement of non-delinquent market vendors in the new public market.
Jimenez added the memorandum of agreement will be signed between the local government and the market vendors to address their concerns and issues.
On the other hand, Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office (MEEDO) head Mary Gay Joel said ambulant vendors will likewise occupy the San Lorenzo Drive every Sunday from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The store hours in the temporary Kalibo market site is between 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Once the construction will start, road closure will be implemented from the corner of Roxas Avenue Extension to XIX Martyrs Street to give way for the heavy equipment of Rotaflex Construction and Development.
San Lorenzo Drive is also designated a one-way street for motorists.
Meanwhile, Kalibo police chief Lt. Col. Ricky Bontogon said policemen and traffic enforcers will be deployed to secure the temporary market along San Lorenzo Drive./PN
