ILOILO City – The redevelopment of the city’s public markets, including the two biggest ones – the Iloilo Central and Terminal markets – is progressing on track.
According to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, these projects are just among the city government’s inclusive sustainable agenda aimed at promoting economic and social development, while ensuring environment and cultural heritage preservation.
“I am optimistic that the city is steadily progressing towards our goal of becoming one of the Top 3 most livable, sustainable and resilient cities in the country by 2028. The redevelopment of our markets is just among our efforts,” the city mayor said.
Aside from the city’s two biggest markets, the district public markets of La Paz, Jaro, Arevalo, and Mandurriao are also undergoing rehabilitation.
According to the City Engineer’s Office, Phase 1 of construction works for the public markets of Arevalo is 95 percent completed; Jaro, 65 percent; and La Paz, 50 percent. The La Paz and Jaro public markets (Phase 1) will be completed by the third quarter of 2024 while the Arevalo public market (Phase 1) is targeted to be done within the first quarter of this year.
The city government has allotted P395 million each for the Jaro Big Market and La Paz Public Market and P150 million for the Arevalo Public Market.
The construction of Mandurriao Public Market is also on track with a budget of P100 million from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The Iloilo Central and Terminal markets, popularly known as “Tienda Mayor” and “Super,” respectively, are the first markets in Iloilo to be redeveloped through a public-private partnership with SM Prime Holdings (SMPH).
The two markets, with a total project cost of around P3 billion, are expected to be completed in December 2024.
In line with the city’s focus on renewable energy, the infrastructures are set to become the first green markets in the Visayas, utilizing solar panels, natural light and natural ventilation.
The redevelopment will introduce designs that maximize energy and water usage efficiency, as well as implement efficient waste management.
The redevelopment aims to provide the city with a sustainable multi-use market complex that will foster and enhance business activities while preserving the economic value of the Old Central Business District (Calle Real) of Iloilo City.
EMPOWERING MARKET VENDORS
The city’s market vendors are undergoing trainings related to business operations and market management through the city government’s flagship program Uswag Negosyo Academy (UNA).
Launched last year in partnership with BDO Foundation, UNA has already trained and empowered 130 vendors from various public markets.
The program is currently ongoing with more batches of vendors, in preparation for the opening of the modern markets.
Treñas emphasized that this initiative is a big help to market vendors.
“We want a holistic approach in the redevelopment of our public markets. Part of this is the empowerment of our market vendors so they may also improve their business and income,” he said.
The city government is hopeful to have all the 3,000 vendors trained.
Endorsed by the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO), a market vendor must be a bonafide member with registered business, diligently paying his or her dues, and committed to finish the training.
Velma Jane Lao, head of the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Office, said the vendors are trained by batch and have to complete six sessions of trainings in order to avail themselves of the livelihood assistance worth P5,000.
Last year, six batches of vendors have graduated from the training. The first two batches were given livelihood assistance by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). The third to sixth batches were subsidized by BDO Foundation.
“We want our vendors to keep up with the redevelopment of public markets. We want to capacitate and empower them especially that we are now in the age of digitalization,” said Lao.
One of the first recipients of the trainings and livelihood assistance is Sheena May Barrientos, a fish vendor in Jaro Big Market.
She shared that UNA helps them to be knowledgeable in terms of business, on how to handle their customers.
“After we attended all the training sessions, the city government gave us an additional capital which can help to add more products to our business. I would like to thank Mayor Treñas and those behind this UNA program for giving us this opportunity to learn and to make our business more productive. We are beyond grateful for this experience,” she said in vernacular.
Another beneficiary from Batch 2 is Mary Joy Villarete, a variety store owner from Mandurriao Public Market.
“For me, the training has provided many lessons in handling customer complaints and taught me the right approach in dealing with my customers,” she shared.
She said it would be better if other vendors will also be given a chance especially those who don’t have any permits, as they are also willing to learn.
“As of now, we are facing difficulties in our place, especially at the gym, particularly when it rains because it floods. However, it will be better soon as we transfer to the newly-improved market, and we would like to express our gratitude to the mayor for this development,” she added.
Market vendors are trained on Work Ethics, Service Quality, Business Registration, Digitalization, Food Safety and Handling, Customer Service, Financial Literacy, Fair Trade laws, Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, Business Continuity Planning (BCP), and Financial Education (Fish N’ Learn).
The city hall also partnered with government agencies like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Iloilo City Community College for the program implementation./PN
