• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego yesterday stood his ground on the transfer of tenants and vendors of the city’s public market, either by November this year, or next year, to pave the way for the start of its repair and renovation.
Public market tenants and vendors have requested the postponement of their transfer to a relocation site, amid the start of the “Ber months,” which they say is a very important time for them to recover from financial losses due to natural calamities and other causes, over the past several months.
In a phone interview with reporters, Gallego said they are now in the process of arranging the area where they could be transferred, which is front of the public market.
A budget of P300 million has been earmarked by the Gallego administration for the repair and renovation of the public market.
Although the group stressed that they are not opposing the proposed project, they however claimed it was not explained to them thoroughly during two open forums held on April 23 and August 16 this year, which were attended by Mayor Gallego and Atty. Janus Jarder.
They added that there were no clear answers to many questions that were raised during the forum.
Gallego admitted that they will be temporarily affected by the repair and renovation of the public market, which he describes as dilapidated and may pose danger to them..
All is now ready. We are just waiting for the proper time for its implementation, he added.
Gallego further stressed that not all tenants are complaining, only few.
Asked if there are politicians riding on the issue, Gallego said he has no idea. But he further stressed that what they are doing is good for all Silaynons.
He earlier justified securing P1.4 billion in loans to finance major infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a city college, sports coliseum, and a new City Hall, aside from the public market, stressing that Silay City is lagging behind in terms of development, compared to other local government units.*
