Merchants and market-goers may soon enjoy the benefits of modern district public markets in the city of Iloilo after the city council approved on Tuesday the rehabilitation of the markets and the demolition of the existing ones.
This was contained in a Report and Resolution of No Objection proposed by Councilor Ely A. Estante Jr., as chairman of the City Council Committee on Engineering, Construction, and Public Works. It was passed unanimously.
The district markets identified for demolition and rehabilitation were Arevalo, Jaro (Big), and Lapaz Public Markets.
The city’s district markets have long been in a state of disrepair due to years of neglect and patchwork repairs.
The long-overdue modernization of the city’s district markets is one of the pet projects of this current administration and an advocacy of Councilor Estante as chairman of the City Council Committees on Markets and Slaughterhouse and Infrastructure.
According to the Estante Report, the markets rehab will be undertaken through public bidding under the Design and Build scheme. The estimated budget for the Lapaz Market is P395 million, the Jaro (Big) market is also P395 million, and the Arevalo market is P150 million. Funding for these projects will be sourced from the P1.7 bilion loan package secured by the Iloilo City Government which also includes the budget for the on-going construction of the Legislative and Parking Building adjacent to City Hall.
Late last year, the city council also passed a RONO for the demolition and rehab of the Mandurriao Public Market. This project, however, is being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways District Engineering Office through national funds secured by Lone District Rep. Jamjam Baronda. (via Kgd. Ely Estante Jr In Action FB)
