Lingayen’s new market still not operational
ONE YEAR OVERDUE
LINGAYEN—It’s been a year since the municipal government announced it would open the new market for occupancy, and to date, nothing is still definite about the start of the delayed operations.
After the project was turned over by the contractor to the municipal government in July 2014, Municipal Administrator Lydia Pioquinto had announced that the new wet market would open in September 2014.
The P11.7-million wet market has unoccupied 104 fish stalls and 109 meat stalls.
When asked about the delay, the administrator said it is dependent on the approval and publication of the market ordinance, which stipulates the various fees including the “goodwill fee,” an unresolved issue as market vendors continue to protest the prescribed P75,000 fee for each stall.
The vendors are reportedly insisting on P25,000 fee.
However, in an interview with Councilor Jaymark Crisostomo, author of the market ordinance, he said the ordinance was already ratified last August, with goodwill fees set ranging from P25,000 to P35,000 and pointed out that contrary to the impression of the market administrator, the publication of the market ordinance is not a requisite for the opening of the market.
Nonetheless, the ordinance is now due for publication, said Sangguniang Bayan (SB) secretary, Genaro Valencerina.
Mr. Crisostomo said the delay is reportedly caused by reports of substandard construction of the building.
The SB continues to wait for answers from the town officials including the municipal administrator, market supervisor Arthur Ferrer, and contractor who have been invited on numerous occasions for the SB ‘Question Hour’ on the status of the wet market and the integrity of the building construction.
But, Mr. Crisostomo said, SB’s invitations have been ignored. “Parang ayaw nilang sumagot sa ating mga tanong,” the councilor noted.
He added, “Nasasayangan tayo dahil medyo matagal nang nakatengga ang ating market.”
The new market was funded by a loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines. (Johanne Macob)
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