Young objects to turn Pasil Market into plaza

CEBU, Philippines - The plan of Mayor Michael Rama to destroy the existing Pasil Fish Market building along C. Padilla Street and convert the place into a public plaza may not be realized because Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young is against it.

Young said destroying the market building would be a waste of funds, that is why he is suggesting to convert the building into a school.

 “Kuwang kaayo ta og school building karon,” he said. (We are in dire need of more school buildings.)

According to Young, he learned that several children from barangay Pasil, Suba and Sawang Calero are studying at the Night High Schools in nearby barangays because Pasil does not have a high school.

While the Gothong Memorial National High School is just located along C. Padilla Street, which is just a walking distance from barangay Pasil, Young said the school is already overcrowded.

 Rama proposed a P25-million budget for the construction of the Pasil Park, but the City Council has rejected this because there are no available funds for it.

The mayor’s plan is to transfer the fish vendors from the existing Pasil Fish Market to the Pasil Fish Port building, which is located at the shoreline of barangay Pasil.

Rama is planning to renovate the existing Pasil Fish Port building, but his P10-million proposed budget was rejected also by the City Council, although Young said the mayor can reintroduce such projects in the annual budget.

The vice mayor said he strongly supports Rama’s plan to transfer the fish vendors to the Pasil Fish Port, but he is against the plan to destroy the existing Pasil Fish Market building.

If the fish vendors will be transferred to the Pasil Fish Port, the city should widen first Belgium Street and the other roads beside the fish market building to make it easier for delivery trucks to pass through. (FREEMAN)