Parañaque starts construction of people’s market in Baclaran

MANILA, Philippines — The Parañaque City government on Friday broke ground on a P150-million building that would house the people’s market in Baclaran, which officials said would resolve the decades-old problem of illegal vendors in the city.

In a statement, Mayor Edwin Olivarez said the project would be funded by the city government after it turned down a construction firm’s proposal of a private-public partnership.

He said the project would finally start after it was approved by the national government.

The market building would be erected on a one-hectare vacant lot along Roxas Boulevard fronting the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos yesterday said the building would solve the problem of some 3,000 illegal vendors in the area.

“This important project is for the welfare of the people particularly the market vendors. It will not be a clearing operation in the area but this will be the ultimate solution to the problem of the city government for over 50 years,” Abalos said, as he also vowed additional funds for the project.