Talisay City council supports reopening of Tabunok market

CEBU, Philippines - After a heated debate which lasted almost an hour, the Talisay City Council yesterday passed a resolution supporting the recommendation of First District Rep. Eduardo Gullas and Mayor Socrates Fernandez to reopen the old Tabunok Public Market.

In a vote of 9-3, the council approved the resolution sponsored by Vice Mayor Alan Bucao. Those who voted for the resolution were Eduardo "Digul" Gullas, III, Rudy Cabigas, Bernard Odilao, Charles Basillote, Dennis Basillote, Richard Francis Aznar, Celiapo Cabuenas, John Carmel Burlas, and Eduard Alesna.

Opposition councilors Romeo Villarante, Valeriano Ylanan, and Danilo Caballero tried to block the approval but they were outnumbered by the administration councilors.

The resolution supported the move to reopen the Tabunok Public Market. The idea was described by Bucao as genuine leadership of Gullas and Fernandez. Villarante and Ylanan proposed to amend the resolution by requesting Fernandez to prepare the market and terminal and proper distribution of stalls should be made to the vendors.

The members of the opposition said that the authority to transfer and open government facilities belong to the legislative. The proposed amendment however was turned down by majority of the council members.

Despite the approval of the resolution, Villarante said it does not follow that the old Tabunok market will be opened already.

"The resolution passed this morning was not for the reopening but only a mere recommendation. Kinsa man ang ilang gi-recommend for the reopening?" Villarante told the reporters after the session. 

Villarante, who is running for vice mayor against Bucao, lambasted the administration saying that the resolution was aimed to solicit votes.

"The resolution is only a political ploy. They are not serious in the opening of the market. If they are serious, they should pass the resolution for the opening of the Tabunok market," Villarante said.

The idea of reopening comes from Gullas, who is now running for mayor of Talisay City, after consulting the vendors in Barangay Lagtang.

Gullas however said that before the old market could be reopened several improvements have to be done to make it livable. Gullas said water and power supplies have to be reinstalled while roofing and flooring also need to be fixed. The structure also needs to be inspected by the city engineering office to ensure that the building is structurally sound.  (FREEMAN)