ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas strongly pushes for the modernization of district public markets at no expense to the city government.
“We want our markets to level up and become competitive by providing the public a comfortable and convenient ‘mall-setting’ establishment with cheaper products and affordable services,” Treñas stressed.
The mayor is happy that the city government has started the pre-negotiation with SM Prime Holdings to discuss the Project Terms of Reference for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) plan in developing the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market, both in the City Proper.
Comfort rooms, parking facilities and effective drainage system are being included in the development plans to make it easy and accessible for the public when buying their needs in the markets.
The improvements will likewise solve traffic congestion and perennial flooding in the market area.
And because the markets produce tons of trash, a Sewage Treatment Plant and Materials Recovery Facility will be established to address wastewater and solid waste management. These will transform the markets into environment-friendly buildings.
“The operations will remain with the city government under the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO), including collection of tax dues. There’s no displacement of vendors as bona fide stall holders are assured of spaces. There might be additional stalls as the facility will become spacious,” Treñas stressed.
The city government constantly conducts consultations with vendors of Central and Iloilo Terminal markets regarding updates and processes of the PPP.
Under the proposal, a temporary market relocation will be provided prior to the start of construction to prevent interruption of economic activities.
This will liven up the Calle Real or old business district downtown and will become an attraction at the center of the metro.
There is also an assurance that the heritage building of the Central Market will be preserved in accordance with existing guidelines for Cultural Heritage Preservation with the approval of Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council./PN
