The awardees were Dalaguete Commercial Center, first place; Pardo Public Market, second place; and the public markets of Tabunok and Consolacion, which shared the third spot.
Aside from cleanliness, the search puts emphasis on the quality of enforcement of the fair trade and consumer protection laws, as well as the presence of proper market sectioning, vendor association, "timbangan ng bayan," consumer welfare desk, market manager, and other related concerns.
Each of the winners received a plaque of recognition, a token, and a banner that bears the information of their winning in this year's search.
DTI Cebu official Inez Cajegas, who was with the Provincial Selection Team during the ocular survey, said she observed that each of the listed public market has the potential of becoming the next Pamilihan ng Lalawigan winner.
Members of the selection team were representatives from DTI, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Agriculture, and a consumer group.
Among those who received the awards were public market officials Felix Omilig (Dalaguete), Luis Calvo and Jose Delfino (Pardo), Jocelyn Sanchez and Winefredo Bas (Tabunok, Talisay City), and Teodoro Hatamosa (Consolacion). - Gregg M. Rubio