‘Transient vendors will not be displaced in markets’ rehab’

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Monday assured transient vendors in the city’s public markets that they may continue to sell as the city gears up to temporarily close its two biggest markets to make way for rehabilitation works.

Treñas said transient vendors, who do not have regular permits, can still sell their products even if they are relocated from the markets’ premises.

“We will try as much as possible that [transient vendors] will not be displaced. As we have said, the redevelopment of the market is really for us, and as much as possible, we want to make sure that no one would be displaced,” he said in his press conference.

The long-term lease agreement with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. for the rehabilitation of the Central and Terminal Markets was signed last Friday, July 29, and is valued to be around P2 billion pesos.

The city government will be holding a formal awarding activity today, August 2, at the Park Inn Hotel at the SM City Iloilo complex.

In its eventual temporary closure, Central Market vendors will be relocated to designated temporary areas in front of the PHINMA University of Iloilo, and those from the Terminal Market will be relocated to Mabini Street.

Meanwhile, the La Paz market will soon be shut down for the meantime, as insulation works are being done on temporary stalls set up along Rizal Street and near Huervana Street.

Temporary stalls are also being completed in the nearby areas of the Jaro, Arevalo, and Mandurriao public markets.

Rerouting schemes will be announced by the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office once plans have been finalized.