Tabunok vendors tender suggestion to city executives

CEBU, Philippines - If the Tabunok Public Market Vendors Association and other vendors in the area had it their way, the best approach to re-construct the market should be "phase-by-phase" so they can continue their livelihood while the project is ongoing.

In a two-page letter sent to Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes and Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, the vendors argued that phase-by-phase construction will give them a chance to continue their livelihood and cover up their losses while they are still at the Lagtang Public Market.

The phase-by-phase construction means that a phase of the building -- for instance, the meat section -- will be constructed first, then followed by the next section.

The vendors said there is a possibility though that with the phase-by-phase scheme, construction will not be finished immediately because they have to stop after the first phase and wait for next budget for another phase.

The letter sent to the city officials were signed by their respective market section leaders including their adviser, former vice mayor Aberdovey Belleza.

De los Reyes wanted the construction of the new Tabunok Public Market building will not be under phase-by-phase.

The mayor earlier said that the report may give confusion to vendors that the construction of the new market building will be phase-by-phase. The project will be constructed in full, he said.

It can be recalled that the bidding of the project was scheduled in March or April this year and the target for the project's completion is within eight to ten months.

But the said bidding temporarily did not push through.

This, after De los Reyes and the members of the City Council recently clashed over giving authority to the mayor to enter into a proposed P387 million worth of loan intended to finance the construction of the public market.

At the moment, the mayor is still waiting for the response from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on his request for the half-billion rehabilitation funds intended for damaged public works infrastructure damaged by the typhoon and earthquake.

The request includes funding for the construction of the Tabunok Public Market in the amount of P387 million. (FREEMAN)