Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia made the rounds of the Libertad Market in Bacolod City Saturday to check on the progress of the project funded by both the national and local governments.
Completion of improvement work on of the Libertad Market is expected sometime in July or August, contractors told the mayor.
Leonardia was accompanied by Assistant City Engineer Loben Rafael Ceballos, and other key CEO personnel.
The mayor was briefed by Supreme ABF Construction and Construction Supply, and the TMTC Construction Supply Corporation during the ocular inspection of the ongoing P50 million renovation project from the Local Government Support Fund.
The LGSF appropriation for Libertad is part of the P150 million granted by the national government through the Department of Budget and Management in 2020.
The implementation, however, encountered delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Leonardia explained.
It was equally divided at P50 million each for the improvement of the Burgos, Libertad and Central markets.
Leonardia also visited the Burgos Market last March 26 to check on the status of its improvement.
Because of other essential features identified by vendors and project planners such as elevator going to the market’s upper level, offices and dividers, among other amenities, the LGU added P8 million more to complete the project.
Engr. Fritz Baguna of the Supreme ABF Construction said that they are currently working on various areas on the market which includes improvement on the 3rd Floor Annex Building, which is now 90 complete; drainage system on the fish market, upper roof, ceiling (fascia gutter), and lower roof (shed roofing).
Baguna also said that they target to finish the P50 million project by July or August this year.
The TMTC Construction Supply Corp., represented by Engr. Reyna Delgado, handles P8 million project that covers elevator, stalls, painting, electrical works, concrete pads, and dry wall partitions in the second floor of the annex building.
The contractors will also continue their work on the ground area of the annex upon completion of the improvements at the second-floor annex of Libertad Market.
Also with the mayor were Arch. Jaries Encabo, Engr. Joebert Tambanillo and key CEO personnel involved in the project.
This is by far, Leonardia said, the biggest single LGSF the city has ever received and made possible through the efforts of Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and the City Council.
VENDORS REAFFIRM GP SUPPORT
The Libertad Market Vendors Association and the Amelia Vendors Association yesterday re-affirmed their support to the re-election bids of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran as well as other Grupo Progreso aspirants.
The 200 member LIMVA, headed by Efren Magallos and the 500-strong AMVA of Romer Real, reiterated their support to Leonardia, who was at the Libertad Market for an ocular inspection of the ongoing P58 million project that is up for completion by July or August.
“We are in support of Mayor Bing ever since because of his love and deep concern for the vendors. He saw to it that we are able to continue with our livelihood even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. And look, Libertad is currently being improved. That is the reason why we are rooting for Grupo Progreso,” Real said.
LIMVA member Jasmin Arroz, said she, too, remains committed to Leonardia.
“The mayor has given many projects for Bacolod vendors. He always gives solution to our concerns,” Arroz added
An emotional Letecia Torilla Palacios, now 84, said she cannot hide her tears and admiration for the mayor, recalling that Leonardia always extends a helping hand for small vendors like her.
Palacios, whose parents are original Libertad vendors, has been a market vendor for 50 years.
“I’ve been a vendor more than half my life. I know Mayor Bing well and how he shows his concern for us. We know his family and my parents also know the mayor’s parents,” Palacios continued.
“We are solid Mayor Bing supporters ever since,” butted in 55-year-old rice trader Jose Norton Grecia.*
