Rama wants to convert fish market into park

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor-elect Michael Rama announced yesterday that he plans to convert the existing fish market along C. Padilla Street in Barangay Pasil into a tourist attraction.

The vendors at the existing market, he said, would be transferred to the Pasil fish port, which the city also intends to renovate. The fish port was constructed more than 20 years ago with financial aid from the government of Belgium.

The port was built purposely to enable dealers from nearby islands to market their goods, but the same has been dormant for the past few years.

Rama said he already instructed Suba barangay captain Joel Sable and Sawang Calero barangay captain Benjamin Zabate to clear the fish port of squatters.

“Kon ang dapit nga nahimutangan karon sa Pasil Fish market mahimo na nga plaza, mahimo na nga ablihan ang gate sa San Nicolas Church nga anaa gayud atubangan sa merkado,” Rama said.

Residents living near the church are supporting Rama’s plan.

“Hugaw kaayo ang atubangan sa simbahan ug baho pa g’yud kon naa diha ang merkado,” one resident said.

Rama said the San Nicolas Church will look better just like the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral if it will have clean surroundings.

“Kon ang sitwasyon susama pa sa Pasil nga ang atbang sa Cathedral dunay merkado, nindot ba kaha gihapon ang entrance sa simbahan?” Rama said, referring to the metropolitan cathedral.

Meanwhile, Rama yesterday instructed his staff to let the city legal office secure all the documents relating to the former Citi-Center Commercial Complex, a wet market situated in Barangay Kamagayan that has been forfeited in favor of the city for failure of its owner to pay taxes.

The complex has since been occupied by squatters and reports even reached City Hall that someone is allegedly collecting rental from occupants and pocket the money for personal use.   (FREEMAN NEWS)