JVR threatens to cut councilors’ staff quota

Talisay City vendors would rather sell at the old Tabunok market for its proximity to customers rather than the more modern Lagtang market located farther away.
(CDN File Photo)

Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes threatened to reduce the job order employees quota of the City Council if they refuse to approve the loan for the construction of the city’s public market building.

The mayor issued this warning as Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, a Liberal Party (LP) ally, cautioned him against contracting loans that may compromise the city government’s services to its constituents.

“It’s been a long time that the vendors and the public wanted their market back and now they would oppose it,” the mayor said in Cebuano.
Delos Reyes said two government banks offered to allocate a P387 million for the market project.

He said he preferred the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) since they have fewer loan requirements and has a one year grace period to settle the mode of payment for the loan.

While a four-story market building will be built at the Tabunok market’s site, the vendors will be temporarily relocated  at the back of the Lagtang market while the rest will be transferred to the open lot near the church.

But some market vendors opposed the idea, saying they would rather sell at the old market’s parking area than move to the Lagtang market.

Delos Reyes questioned this, saying these vendors are being paid by his political foes to oppose his plans.

Councilor Danny Caballero, who chairs the market committee, said building a new market needs to be studied since the monthly amortization may cost more than the income to be generated from the project. Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc