CITY officials are studying an alternative strategy to make the Malimgas Market more viable and enable its operations to pay for the amortization of the P300 million loan used to finance its construction.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez said the primary objective is to get the Malimgas Market fully occupied so that the income from rentals can be used to pay the amortization to the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The past city administration under Mayor Benjamin Lim adopted various approaches in improving the occupancy rate but failed. The second, third and fourth floors remain largely under-utilized.

The third floor and the roof deck were designed for pay parking but motorists and shoppers have refrained from using it owing to its dangerous and steep ascent.

Fernandez revealed that one idea being studied is the relocation of the wet market section to the second floor and transfer all the dry goods stores, including service shops to the first floor.

Another option is to relocate ambulant vendors to the second and third floors of the market building.

Vice Mayor Fernandez expressed confidence that positioning the wet market section in the second floor is not a wild idea because it had been proven viable in markets in cities like Vigan, San Fernando, Candon, Laoag and Urdaneta.

She said since the wet market sells fresh commodities, people will inevitably visit the area.

In addition, she pointed out that unless the Malimgas Market is fully occupied, there is no chance for the stall rentals to be reduced.

The relocation move, she said, will not cost the city much except for the provision of some additional physical facilities like wider access to the second and third floors, up to the roof deck.

The options were considered during consultations between her and Councilor Jesus Canto, chairman of the City Council Committee on Market and Slaughterhouse.

Canto, formerly the director of the Region 1 Medical Center, said he is keen on drafting a measure for legislation that could make the Malimgas Market really self-sufficient for the long term.

City officials are considering a plan to visit Vigan and Laoag for an observation tour of their public markets.

“We will try to learn from our neighbors in order to make sure that the Malimgas Public Market will truly be viable,” said Vice Mayor Fernandez, owner of a chain of malls in Northern Luzon.—LM

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments