Mandaue lays down plans, designs for new market

CEBU, Philippines – Plans and designs for the construction of a new public market in Mandaue City are now in place.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said the local finance board is now in the midst of discussion on where to source out money for its construction, which will probably start before the year ends.

Cortes, in an interview with reporters, said the city government might come up with a P300 million budget for the construction of the  new market in Barangay Centro where the old market used to stand in the 90s.

It was badly hit by a fire in 2004.

Cortes said they have finally decided to construct the new market in Barangay Centro after they found out that the market constructed at the back of the City Sports and Cultural Complex is not an ideal place for the market goers.

“Imagine, kaluoy sa mga tiguwang nga mo-tabok sa major thorough-fare, naka-cause na nuon og samot nga traffic,” Cortes said.

Once the market will be constructed in Centro, A. Soriano Street, which is the way towards the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, is seen to be decongested.

He said that the new public market can be of use by 2016.

Cortes also said the market at back of the complex which was devastated by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake last year will not also go into waste as many entities have already sent their proposals for a public-private partnership.

“We also have to maximize the use of that area kay taas kayo na ug value diha,” Cortes said.

He said aside from the market, the city has also to prioritize the construction of a “promotion investment center” where all of the city’s products will be gathered and displayed.

This as the city also aims to be the primary source of high-quality consumer products here in Central Visayas.