Talisay gets inputs from Naga in building Tabunok market

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government is interested in adopting the concept behind Naga City People's Mall, formerly city's public market, after a two-day benchmarking study tour and visit in Camarines Sur's capital city on Tuesday.

"We want to emulate their public market. Thier market is good," said Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante yesterday, adding that the purpose of their visit is to get some outputs on how Naga City managed to build the three-story public market.

The market in Naga went through a series of devastating fires that rendered large portions of the market unusable for years, prompting the current administration to rethink the concept of a public market and instead present the renovated city-owned complex as an alternative mall for shoppers.

The local officials in Talisay headed by Mayor Johnny De los Reyes went to Naga City upon the invitation of Mayor John Bongat.

Their recent visit to Naga's market, according to Villarante, will provide them some inputs that will help them conduct feasibility study and eventually carry out De los Reyes' dream of constructing a three-story Tabunok public market.

"Ang ilang fish and meat section naa sa second floor, no elevator. If mabuhat na nila didto, pwede man atong mabuhat sa atong Tabunok market pero kinahanglan lang gyud pasabton ang mga tawo," Villarante said.

Naga's public market had been considered as the largest single-roof public market in Southeast Asia when it was erected in 1964. It started operation in 1969.

Villarante said they were impressed with how the structure was built because the improvements and terms of occupancy of the vendors were properly put in place.

Villarante said the council will support the construction of the market since it will benefit the vendors and the people.

However, Villarante pointed out he cannot guarantee if the members of the council will support the proposal of De los Reyes to loan P387 million intended to finance the construction of the Tabunok market. (FREEMAN)