New market "unites" Mandaue rivals

CEBU, Philippines - Setting aside political rivalry, the Cortes and the Ouano clans yesterday came together under one roof for the opening of the new and modern Mandaue City Public Market.

The project was conceptualized by Provincial Board Member Thadeo “Teddy” Ouano during his stint as city mayor but was implemented by Mayor Jonas Cortes.

Ouano completed his term in 2007 and endorsed his son Jonkie but lost to Cortes in the mayoralty race in that same year.

The Ouano family led by its political patriarch former mayor Alfredo “Pedong” Ouano, Teddy and city councilor Lollypop Ouano-Dizon joined Cortes, Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede and some councilors in the opening of the market.

With the presence of the Ouanos, Cortes told The FREEMAN that they are all public servants and the best thing to do is to set aside politics and to do good things for the good of the city.

“Mao ni labing nindot nga gasa nga atong mahatag sa katawhan ang paghiklin sa politika, mobuhat ta og mga butang mga makaayo sa tanan,” Cortes said.

Also present during the event were Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, PB Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy and Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and sixth district Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing were reportedly invited but both did not come.

Teddy admired Cortes for completing the project which he conceptualized not only as public market but also as an added attraction to the city.

He said that they were invited by Cortes whom he said is respecting him as well as his father, Pedong, even after they became political rivals.

“Nindot kaayo nga gipadayun gyud ni Mayor Jonas, he is a humble, unassuming guy, that is what we need,” Teddy said.

Cortes described the new public market as business, consumers and environment-friendly facility.

Magpale congratulated the city government to have the “first of its kind in the province.”

“Doble gyud ang akong pagtunol sa akong pahalipay sa kagamhanan sa Mandaue and of course to the people,” Magpale said.

The facility has 1,400 stalls; two activity areas; administration office; fully air-conditioned food court; audio-visual room; billiard hall; spacious roof-top parking; three dry storage areas, one cold storage and one refrigerated van; comfort rooms in each level; material recovery facility; waste water treatment facility; perimeter fence; electronic jeepney terminal; access bridge facility and landscaping.

Vendors embrace the new facility from the ugly situation of the old public market that was caught by fire few years ago.

With routes of public utility jeeneys and tricycles passing through the area, the vendors are hopeful to have a good business activity like in the old one.

“Nag-ampo mi ug naglaum nga maayo ang dagan sa among negosyo,” said Cristina Mosqueda, general manager of Mandaue City Market Vendors Association.

The vendors are given two months moratorium of their rentals which range from P35 to P110 per day.

The Mandaue Vendors Cooperative led by Filipinas Ariesga also extended their appreciation to Cortes for being “fair and transparent” in awarding the stalls. — (FREEMAN)